THE 



THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK 



ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS 



SOL. SMITH, 

COMEDIAN, ATTORNEY AT LAW, ETC., ETC. 



COMPRISING A SKETCH OF THE SECOND SEVEN YEARS 

OF HIS PROFESSIONAL LIFE; TOGETHER WITH 

SKETCHES OF ADVENTURE IN AFTER YEARS 



[it!) a portrait of tf>* Eutfjor. 




" The web of our life is of a mingled yarn — good and ill together. 

All's Well that ends Well. 



IP Ijx I air^lp I) t a : 

T. B. PETERSON, No. 102 CHESTNUT STREET. 



-p 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by 

T. B. PETEKSON. 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States in and for the 
Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



DEDICATION. 



TO PHINEAS T. BARNUM, P. A.M., etc. 

Great Impressario : Whilst you were engaged in 
your grand Jenny Lind speculation, the following 
conundrum went the rounds of the American news- 
papers : — 

"Why is it that Jenny Lind and Barnum will 
never fall out ? Answer : — because he is always for- 
getting and she is always for-giving." 

I have never asked you the question directly, whe- 
ther you, Mr. Barnum, started that conundrum or 
not ; but I strongly suspect that you did. At all 
events, I noticed that your whole policy was concen- 
trated into one idea — to make an angel of Jenny, and 
depreciate yourself in contrast. 

You may remember that in this city, (St. Louis,) 
I acted in one instance as your "legal adviser," and, 
as such, necessarily became acquainted with all the 
particulars of your contract with the so-called Swe- 
dish Nightingale, as well as the various modifications 
claimed by that charitable lady, and submitted to by 
you after her arrival in this country ; which modifi- 

(7) 



8 DEDICATION. 



cations (I suppose it need no longer be a secret) 
secured to her, besides the original stipulation of one 
thousand dollars for every concert, attendants, car- 
riages, assistant artists, and a pompcfus and extrava- 
gant retinue, fit (only) for a European princess — ■ 
one-kale oe the proeits of each performance. 
You may also remember the legal advice I gave you 
on the occasion referred to, and the salutary effect 
of your following it. You must remember the ex- 
travagant joy you felt afterwards, in Philadelphia, 
when the "Angel" made up her mind to avail her- 
self of one of the stipulations in her contract, to 
break off at the end of a hundred nights, and even 
bought out seven of that hundred — supposing that 
she could go on without your aid as well as with it. 
And you cannot but remember how like a rocket- 
stick she dropped when your business connection with 
her ended, and how she "fizzed out" the remainder 
of her concert nights in this part of the world, and 
soon afterwards retired to her domestic blissitude in 
Sweden. 

You know, Mr. Barnum, if you would only tell, 
which of the two it was that was " forGETTLNG," and 
which " for giving ;" and you also know who actually 
gave the larger portion of those sums which you 
heralded to the world as the sole gifts of the " divine 
Jenny." 

Of all your speculations— from the Negro Centena- 



DEDICATION. 9 



rienne, who didn't nurse Gen. Washington, down to 
the Bearded Woman of Genoa — there was not one 
which required the exercise of so much humhuggery 
as the Jenny Lind concerts; and I verily believe 
there is no man living, other than yourself, who 
could or would have risked the enormous expenditure 
of money necessary to carry them through success- 
fully. Traveling, with sixty artists, four thousand 
miles, and giving ninety-three concerts, at an actual 

COSt of FORTY-FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS each, IS what 

no other man would have undertaken — you accom- 
plished this, and pocketed by the operation but little 
less than two hundred thousand dollars ! — Mr. 
Barnum, you are 

YOURSELF— ALONE ! 

I honor you, oh ! great Impressario, as the most 
successful manager in America, or any other country. 
Democrat as you are, you can give a practical lesson 
to the aristocrats of Europe, hoiv to live. At your 
beautiful and tasteful residence, "Iranistan," (I 
don't like the name though,) you can and do enter- 
tain your friends with a warmth of hospitality only 
equaled by that of the great landed proprietors of the 
old country, or of our own " sunny south." Whilst 
riches are pouring into your coffers from your various 
" ventures" in all parts of the world, you do not 
hoard your immense means, but continually " cast 



10 DEDICATION. 



them forth upon the waters," rewarding labor, en- 
couraging the arts, and lending a helping hand to 
industry in all its branches. Not content with doing 
all this, you deal telling blows, whenever opportunity 
offers, upon the monster Intemperance. Your labors 
in this great cause alone should entitle you to the 
thanks of all good men, women and children in the 
land. Mr. Barnum, you deserve all your good for- 
tune, and I hope you may long live to enjoy your 
wealth and honor. 

As a small instalment towards the debt I, as one 
of the community, owe you, and with the hope of 
affording you an hour's amusement, (if you can spare 
that amount of time from your numerous avocations, 
to read it,) I present you with this little volume, con- 
taining a very brief account of some of my "journey 
work" in the south and west ; and remain, very 
respectfully, 

Your friend, 

And affectionate Uncle, 
Sol. Smith. 

Chouteau Avenue, St. Louis, 
November 1st, 1854. , 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

CHAPTER I. 
Early days ^f the Drama in New Orleans 15 

CHAPTER II. 
Slow Traveling by Steam 19 

CHAPTER III. 
St. Louis — Port Gibson — Natchez 26 

CHAPTER IV. 
Theatricals in Mississippi and West Tennessee 32 

CHAPTER V. 
Tuscaloosa — Eire in a Theatre 38 

CHAPTER VI. 
Theatrical Pioneering on the Alabama River 44 

CHAPTER VII. 
Tough Journey-work — fifty miles a day 48 

CHAPTER VIII. 
Return to the Crescent City 52 

CHAPTER IX. 
Journey-work resumed 57 

(ii) 



12 CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

CHAPTER X. 
Second season in West Tennessee 59 

CHAPTER XI. 
Managerial Coup d'etat, 65 

CHAPTER XII. 
My first season in Mobile 73 

CHAPTER XIII. 
Georgia — An Indian War Dance 78 

CHAPTER XIY. 
Getting through a summer 82 

CHAPTER XV. 
Speculation in Whiskers 87 

CHAPTER XVI. 
A season in Milledgeville 93 

CHAPTER XVII. 
Manager Brown * 98 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
The Cholera in 1833 105 

CHAPTER XIX. 
The Floating Theatre 112 

CHAPTER XX. 
Commencement of a long journey. 115 

CHAPTER XXI. 
Almost a Duel 122 

CHAPTER XXII. 
The Quarrel of Brutus and Cassius 130 



CONTENTS. 13 

PAGE 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
The Misses and Madams of the Stage 136 

CHAPTER XXIY. 
Fire in the Capitol 141 

CHAPTER XXV. 
Byrom, the Gambler 144 

CHAPTER XXVI. 
Old Sol.'s Message 148 

CHAPTER XXVII. 
Stopping places in Georgia and Alabama. * 150 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 
George Holland, the Comedian 158 

CHAPTER XXIX. 
My last Traveling Campaign 161 

CHAPTER XXX. 
Another Message, and the last 170 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

Winding up of my Country Management 174 

CHAPTER XXXII. 
Going North 180 



ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

Giving Entertainments 187 

Breaking a Bank 192 

A Hog Story 198 

Don Ludlow Hemit in Havana 202 



14 CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Who's at the Wheel ? 209 

A Lapse of Twenty Years 213 

An Intimate Friend 216 

The Father of the American Stage 221 

Court of Uncommon Pleas. 229 

Kicking the Bucket 233 



DEFENCE OF THE STAGE. 

A friendly letter to the Rev. Dr. Beecher 237 

Reply to the Rev. W. G. Elliott 245 



Letter from Mirabeau Lamar, Ex- President of Texas 253 



THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK 

CHAPTER I. 

EARLY DAYS OF THE DRAMA IN NEW ORLEANS. 

First American Company in New Orleans — St. Pliillippe Street and 
Orleans Theatres in 1817-18 — Cooper, the Tragedian — Ameri- 
can (Camp Street) Theatre — Company of 1827-8 — Two-thirds 
of them gone ! — Booth in his best days — A losing season. 

The English Drama was introduced into the city 
of Neav Orleans in December, 1817, by a common- 
wealth company, consisting of N. M. Ludlow, (Man- 
ager,) Morgan, Lucas, Bainbridge, John Vaughan, 
Henry Vaughan, Mrs. Vaughan, Mrs. Ludlow, Mrs. 
Morgan, and others, whose names are not recollected. 

The performances took place in the St. Pliillippe 
Street Theatre — now the Washington Ball Boom. 
~In 1818 Mr. Aaron Phillips took a company to New 
Orleans, and performed in the French Theatre, 
Orleans Street. Mr. James H. Caldwell came the 
same year, with a company from Virginia, and occu- 
pied the St. Phillippe Street Theatre, afterwards re- 
moving to the Theatre D'Orleans, which he occupied 
three evenings of each week, alternating with the 
French company — a compromise having been effected 

(15) 



16 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

■with Mr. Phillips, who, with the principal members 
of his company, enlisted under Mr. Caldwell's banner. 
The then great tragedian, Cooper, performed an en- 
gagement this season, receiving, as I have been in- 
formed, $333 per night ! 

The foundation of the American Theatre, Camp 
Street, (now the Armory Hall,) was laid in 1821, and 
it was opened in an unfinished condition. In 1824, 
the American Theatre was regularly opened, and 
with a company competent to give proper effect to 
the regular drama. The season was a profitable one 
to the manager, and satisfactory to the public. 

In 1825-6, the theatre again enjoyed a prosper- 
ous season. My youngest brother, Lemuel, was a 
member of the company. Mr. Edwin Forrest was 
engaged, (then but 18 years of age,) and opened in 
Jaffier, (Venice Preserved.) 

The season of 1826-27, I know r nothing about; but 
have no doubt it was as successful as the preceding. 

In the summer of 1827, Mr. Caldwell proceeded 
w T ith his company to St. Louis, Mo., where he con- 
verted a salt house on Second Street into a theatre, 
and performed with considerable success for about 
three months — proceeding from thence to Nashville, 
Tenn., where I joined him, as heretofore related. 

I now proceed w T ith my personal narrative, begin- 
ning with the opening of the American Theatre, 
Camp Street, in the fall of 1827. I am enabled to 
give a list of the New Orleans company of this sea- 
son. The names of those now living, are italicised: 

Messrs. J. H. Caldwell, Anderson, Jackson, Sol. 
Smith, Lem Smith, Sam Jones, R. Eussell, Gray, 
Lear, Hartwig, Lowery, Biggins, Cambridge, Palmer, 



EARLY DAYS OF THE DRAMA IN NEW ORLEANS. IT 

Crampton, McCafferty; Mesdames Hartwig, Russell, 
Rowe, Bloxton, Johns, S. Smith, L. Smith, Jackson, 
Higgins, Crampton, and Miss Russell, (now Mrs. 
Farren.) 

Thus it appears that of twenty-seven members, 
nine only remain — just double that number having 
taken their departure to 

" The undiscovered country, from "whose bourn 
No traveller returns." 

On the second night of the season, Mrs. Smith and 
myself made our first appearance in New Orleans — 
she as Diana Vernon in " Rob Roy," and I as the 
sentimental Billy Lachaday, in th^ comedy of 
" Sweethearts and Wives." With the exception of 
the character of Delph, in the farce of " Family 
Jars," which I performed a great number of nights 
during the season, and the part of Oarlitz, in a new 
one-act drama entitled " Love in Humble Life," 
I had very little to do calculated to give me a position 
as an actor ; yet I was kept busy enough, always 
being required to walk in processions, sing in cho- 
ruses, and shout in armies — besides fighting in all 
general battles. 

During this winter, (1827-8,) Mr. Booth came to 
perform an engagement, and was highly successful. 
I should say these were his best days. It was my 
luck to " support" him as the Physician in " King 
Lear," the Lord Mayor, in "Richard the Third," and 
one of the shouting citizens in each of the Roman 
pieces. After his engagement at our theatre was 
finished, he performed Orestes twice in the Theatre 

2 



18 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

D'Orleans to crowded houses, and the great delight 
of the French population.* 

Manager Caldwell was a loser this season, I should 
think to the tune of at least $10,000. 

* Mr. Booth fulfilled his last engagement on earth in the St. 
Charles Theatre, under the management of Ludlow and Smith, 
in November, 1852, making his final appearance in the character 
of Sir Edward Mortimer. He departed this life immediately after his 
engagement, during his voyage from New Orleans to Louisville. 



CHAPTER II. 

SLOW TRAVELLING BY STEAM. 

Journey to Natchez — A Bully Boat and a Brag Captain — Taking 
in wood — Slow progress, but a good night's work for the 
officers — Taking the whole pile. 

The season being over, the company received 
orders to proceed at once to Natchez, then full 300 
miles distant — now, by reason of a " cut off," short- 
ened to 275 miles — from New Orleans. We took 
passage on the splendid steamer, " Caravan." 

Does any one remember the Caravan ? She was 
what would now be considered a slow boat ; then she 
was regularly advertised as the "fast running," etc. 
Her regular trips from New Orleans to Natchez were 
usually made in from six to eight days ; a trip made 
by her in five days was considered remarkable. A 
voyage from New Orleans to Vicksburg and back, 
including stoppages, generally entitled the officers and 
crew to a month's wages. Whether the Caravan 
ever achieved the feat of a voyage to the Falls, 
(Louisville,) I have never learned ; if she did, she 
must have "had a time of it !" 

It was my fate to take passage in this boat. The 
captain was a good-natured, easy-going man, care- 
ful of the comfort of his passengers, and exceedingly 
fond of the game of brag. 

We had been out a little more than five days, and 
were in hopes of seeing the bluffs of Natchez on the 
next day. Our wood was getting low, and night 

(19) 



20 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

coming on. The pilot on duty above, (the other pilot 
held three aces at the time, and was just calling out 
the captain, who "went it strong" on three kings,) 
sent down word that the mate had reported the stock 
of wood reduced to half a cord. The worthy captain 
excused himself to the pilot whose watch was below, 
and the two passengers who made up the party, and 
hurried to the deck, where he soon discovered, by 
the landmarks, that we were about half a mile from 
a wood-yard, which he said was situated " right 
round yonder point." " But," muttered the cap- 
tain, " I don't much like to take wood of the yellow- 
faced old scoundrel who owns it — he always charges 
a quarter of a dollar more than any one else ; how- 
ever, there's no other chance." The boat was pushed 
to her utmost, and, in a little less than an hour, when 
our fuel was about giving out, we made the point, 
and our cables were out and fastened to trees along- 
side of a good-sized wood pile. 

" Hollo, Colonel ! how d'ye sell your wood this 
time?" 

A yellow-faced old gentleman, with a two week's 
beard, strings over his shoulders holding up to his 
arm-pits a pair of copperas-colored linsey-woolsey 
pants, the legs of which reached a very little below the 
knee ; shoes without stockings ; a faded, broad- 
brimmed hat, which had once been black, and a pipe 
in his mouth — casting a glance at the empty guards 
of our boat, and uttering a grunt as he rose from 
fastening our " spring-line," answered: 

" Why, cap ting, we must charge you three and a 
quarter this time." 

" The d— 1 !" replied the captain — (captains did 



SLOW TRAVELING BY STEAM. 21 

swear a little in those days.) " What's the odd 
quarter for, I should like to know ? You only 
charged me three as I went down." 

" Why, capting," drawled out the wood merchant, 
with a sort of leer on his yellow countenance, which 
clearly indicated that his wood was as good as sold, 
" Wood's riz since you went down two weeks ago ; 
besides, you are awar that you very seldom stop going 
down ; when you're going up, you're sometimes 
obleeged to give me a call, becaze the current's 
against you, and there's no other wood yard for nine 
miles ahead ; and if you happen to be nearly out of 
fooel, why" — 

"Well, well," interrupted the captain, "we'll 
take a few cords under the circumstances" — and he 
returned to his game of brag. 

In about half an hour we felt the Caravan com- 
mence paddling again. Supper was over, and I re- 
tired to my upper berth, situated alongside and over- 
looking the brag table, where the captain was deeply 
engaged, having now the other pilot as his principal 
opponent. We jogged on quietly — and seemed to be 
going at a good rate. 

" How does that wood burn?" inquired the captain 
of the mate, who was looking on at the game. 

" Tisn't of much account, I reckon," answered the 
mate — •" it's cotton wood, and most of it green at 
that." 

"Well, Thompson — (three aces, again, stranger — 
I'll take that X, and the small change, if you please — 
it's your deal) — Thompson, I say, we'd better take 
three or four cords at the next wood-yard — it can't 

2* 



22 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

be more than six miles from here — (two aces and a 
bragger, with the age ! hand over those Vs.") 

The game went on and the paddles kept moving. 
At 11 o'clock, it was reported to the captain that we 
were nearing the wood yard, the light being distinctly 
seen by the pilot on duty. 

" Head her in shore, then, and take in six cords, 
if it's good — see to it, Thompson, I can't very well 
leave the game now — it's getting right warm. This 
pilot's beating us all to smash." 

The wooding completed, we paddled on again. The 
captain seemed somewhat vexed, when the mate in- 
formed him that the price was the same as at the last 
wood-yard — three and a quarter ; but soon again be- 
came interested in the game. 

From my upper berth (there were no state-rooms 
then) I could observe the movements of the players. 
All the contention appeared to be between the cap- 
tain and the pilots, (the latter personages took it 
turn and turn about, steering and playing brag,) 
one of them almost invariably winning, while the two 
passengers merely went through the ceremony of 
dealing, cutting, and paying up their " anties." They 
were anxious to learn the game — and they did learn 
it ! Once in a while, indeed, seeing they had two 
aces and a bragger, they would venture a bet of five 
or ten dollars, but they were always compelled to 
back out before the tremendous bragging of the cap- 
tain or pilot — or if they did venture to " call out" on 
" two bullits and a bragger," they had the mortifica- 
tion to find one of the officers had the same kind of a 
hand, and were more venerable ! Still, with all these 



SLOW TRAVELING BY STEAM. 23 

disadvantages, they continued playing — they wanted 
to learn the game. 

At 2 o'clock, the captain asked the mate how we 
were getting on ? 

"Oh, pretty glibly, sir," replied the mate. "We 
can scarcely tell what headway we are making, for we 
are obliged to keep the middle of the river, and there 
is the shadow of a fog rising. This wood seems rather 
better than that we took in at old yellow face's, but 
we're nearly out again, and must be looking out for 
more. I saw a light just a head on the right — shall 
we hail ?" 

"Yes, yes," replied the captain, "ring the bell 
and ask 'em what's the price of wood up here ? — I've 
got you again ; here's double kings." 

I heard the bell and the pilot's hail : " What's your 
price for wood ?" 

A youthful voice on the shore answered : " Three 
and a quarter !" 

"D — n it!" ejaculated the captain, who had just 
lost the price of two cords to the pilot — the strangers 
suffering some at the same time — " Three and a 
quarter again ! Are we never to get to a cheaper 
country? — deal, sir, if you please — better luck next 
time." The other pilot's voice was again heard on 
deck — 

" How much have you ? 

"Only about ten cords, sir," was the reply of the 
youthful salesman. 

The captain here told Thompson to take six cords, 
which would last till daylight — and again turned his 
attention to the game. 



24 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 



The pilots here changed places. When did they 



Wood taken in, the Caravan again took her place 
in the middle of the stream, paddling on as usual. 

Day at length dawned. The brag party broke up, 
and settlements were being made, during which ope- 
ration the captain's bragging propensities v were ex- 
ercised in cracking up the speed of his boat, which, 
by his reckoning, must have made at least sixty miles, 
and would have made many more, if he could have 
procured good wood. It appeared the two pas- 
sengers, in their first lesson, had incidentally lost one 
hundred and twenty dollars. The captain, as he 
rose to see about taking in some good wood, which he 
felt sure of obtaining, now he had got above the 
level country, winked at his opponent, the pilot, with 
whom he had been on very bad terms during the pro- 
gress of the game, and said, in an under tone, — 
" Eorty a-piece for you and I and Jemes, (the other 
pilot,) is not not bad for one night." 

I had risen, and went out with the captain, to en- 
joy a view of the bluffs. There was just fog enough 
to prevent the vision taking in more than sixty yards 
— so I was disappointed in my expectation. We were 
nearing the shore for the purpose of looking for wood, 
the banks being invisible from the middle of the 
river. 

" There it is !" exclaimed the captain, " stop her !" 
— Ding — ding- ding ! went the big bell, and the 
captain hailed : 

"Hollo! the wood-yard!" 

"Hollo yourself!" answered a squeaking female 



SLOW TRAVELING BY STEAM. 



voice, which came from a woman with a petticoat over 
her shoulders in place of a shawl. 

" "What's the price of wood?" 

" I think you ought to know the price by this 
time," answered the old lady in the petticoat — "it's 
three and a qua-a-rter ! and now you know it." 

"Three and the d — 1!" broke in the captain — ■ 
u what, have you raised on your wood, too? I'll give 
you three, and not a cent more." 

"'Well," replied the petticoat, "here comes the 
old man — hell talk to you!" And sure enough, out 
crept from the cottage the veritable faded hat, cop- 
peras-colored pants, yellow countenance and two 
weeks' beard we had seen the night before, and the 
same voice we had heard regulating the price of cot- 
ton wood, squeaked out the following sentence, ac- 
companied by the same leer of the same yellow 
countenance : 

" Why, darn it all, capting, there is but three or 
four cords left, and since it's you, I don't care if I 
do let you have it for three — as you're a good 
customer /" 

After a quick glance at the landmarks around, the 
captain bolted, and turned in to take some rest. 

The fact became apparent — the reader will proba- 
bly have discovered it some time since — that we had 



CHAPTER III. 

ST. LOUIS, PORT GIBSON, NATCHEZ. 

Natchez — Sleeping iu a Vault — Watch stolen from a High Priest — ■ 
Oakah Tubbee, the Choctaw Chief— The Old " American," Cap- 
tain Scott and Clerk S won— St. Louis— The " Hypocrite" — 
Old Citizens — The " Gambler's Fate" — To the South again — 
Port Gibson — A good number of Smiths — A six-horse team with 
bells — Natchez season a failure. 

The Natchez Theatre was opened under Mr. 
Caldwell's management in the spring of 1828, with 
scenery and company brought from the "American," 
in New Orleans. Here it was the cognomen of 
" Old Sol" began to attach itself to me, in conse- 
quence of my being frequently called upon to perform 
the characters usually personated by " Old Gray," 
who was generally indisposed about these days. I 
was then 27 years of age. 

I have said elsewhere that our theatre was located 
in a grave-yard. A young man, named McCafferty, 
was a member of the company, combining the duties 
of scenic artist and second low comedian. Being 
very drunk one night, he wandered forth among the 
tombs, and after diligent search for him next morn- 
ing, he was found quietly reposing in a ruined vault, 
where he had passed the night ! Poor McCafferty ! 
A few years afterwards a Mr. Gamble and himself 
took a bottle of whiskey to bed ivitli them one night, 
and were found dead the next morning ! 

A watch was stolen from my dressing-room in the 
(26) 



ST. LOUIS, PORT GIBSON, NATCHEZ. 



theatre, and a negro boy was taken before Justice 
Tooly, on a charge of having committed the larceny. 
Being sworn, I began to give in my testimony, to the 
effect that on the previous night, while I was officiat- 
ing as High Priest of the Sun — 

" How's this ? How's this ?" interrupted the magis- 
trate — " High Priest of the Sun ? Pray where did 
all this happen ? 

" At the theatre, sir ; I was officiating as High 
Priest, and" 

" At the theatre?" screamed the justice — "served 
you right, then — served you right! Boy, you may 
go — I dismiss the case." 

The individual charged with this theft was no less 
a personage than a negro boy named Carey, who 
afterwards became somewhat notorious as an Indian 
chief, under the name of Oakah Tubbee. Nearly 
twenty years aftewards, this individual came to St. 
Louis, where he achieved considerable popularity as a 
serenading flute player. Mr. Baily, our treasurer, 
on the occasion of his benefit, wished Carey to play 
a tune between the play and afterpiece ; but it did 
not seem exactly proper for a negro to appear on the 
stage. Being a bright mulatto, it was thought he 
might be passed off " for one night only" as an 
Indian. When the bill was being made out, Baily 
came up into the director's room to ask me what 
name we should give our newly created Indian. 
" Name ? Ah, yes — he must have a name," I re- 
plied ; and casting a look through the window over 
to the " Cross Keys," a large oak tub under a spout 
caught my eye. " There is an oak tub ; let the 
Indian's name be Oakah Tubbee I" — and Oakah 



28 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

Tubbee it has been ever since. He soon went up 
into the Indian country, where passing himself .off as 
a Choctaw Chief, he married a very likely squaw, 
and commenced traveling and giving concerts ! I 
am sorry to hear lately that Tubbee has deserted his 
Indian wife, and taken a white squaw, who fell in love 
with him at Niagara Falls. I suspect Tubbee is con- 
siderable of a rascal, though he was probably inno- 
cent of the larceny charged on him in Natchez. 

Mr. and Mrs. Russell, at the close of the season 
here, proceeded to Boston, where Mr. Russell had 
received the appointment of acting manager of the 
Tremont Theatre. 

The season, though short, was moderately profit- 
able to the management, and nearly all the per- 
formers had good benefits. 

Our next movement was to St. Louis, Missouri, 
then a village, containing less than 6,000 inhabi- 
tants.* Here I made my first appearance in the 
character of Kit Cosey, ("Town and Country,") and 
was warmly received by the audience. Our theatre 
was an old^SulLKouse in Second street, mentioned as 
having been fitted up for dramatic purposes, by Mr. 
Caldwell, the year before, and was generally well 
attended. Our manager had gone "East," to recruit 
the southern company, and play a starring engage- 
ment at the Park^Xheaire. The management was 
placed in the hands of Mr. James S. Rowe, the 
treasurer of the establishment, and the season was a 



; 



V* 



* We went up in the " America," Captain Aleck Scott, — Mr. 
J. C. Swon, now one of our most successful and popular steam- 
boat captains, acting as clerk. 



ST. LOUIS, POET GIBSON, NATCHEZ. 29 

paying one. The comedy of the " Hypocrite" was 
acted a great number- of nights — Mr. Barry perform- 
ing the character of Dr. Cantwell, and the writer of 
this that of Mr. Mawworm. 

I remember, with grateful feelings, that the late 
Governor Clarke, and most of his family, made it a 
point, for many years, to attend my benefits, which 
were always profitable and flattering to my profes- 
sional pride. Being now a permanent citizen of St. 
Louis, where I have resided, with little intermission, 
for twenty years, I look back with pleasure to the 
days I am now writing about, when I formed ac- 
quaintance with the Clarks, the Rulands, the O'Fal- 
lons, the Kennetts, the Chouteaus, the Prattes, the 
Pauls, the Grimsley, the Keemle, the Wilgus, the 
Millburn, and many — many others, whose friendship 
I value, and always shall. The drama of the 
" Gambler's Fate" was produced this season, with 
great success, and I think with considerable moral 
effect. 

Those were jolly times in St. Louis ! 

We next proceeded to Natchez, with the intention 
of making a fall season, previously to opening the 
Camp Street Theatre in New Orleans. On our way 
down the river, my brother and myself, with our 
wives, together with a Mr. Cambridge and a Mr. 
"Wilkie,* were induced to stop and perform a few 

* This Mr. Wilkie came to St. Louis, this season, (1828,) from 

Fort Leavenworth. It appears he had belonged to Mr. Caldwell's 

company, in Virginia, seven years previous to this date, and seven 

\ years before that, (about 1814,) had played with a strolling com- 

| pany in North Carolina. At the remotest period named — just at 

'• the conclusion of the war — he got very drunk one night after the 

3 



30 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

nights at Port Gibson, in the State of Mississippi, 
and a most pleasant and lively time we had of it — 
the theatre being crowded every night we remained 
in that spirited little village. We opened with the 
"Honey Moon" — and not having a large stock of 
performers, we were obliged to adopt thQ^do^Mrng 
system. It thus fell to my lot to enact the Mock 
DuJce, Molando, Doctor Lampedo, and Neighbor 
Lopez ! It being our first appearance in the town, 
and we all strangers to the playgoing community, it 
was never suspected that each character announced in 
the bill had not a separate representative. My share 
of the characters in the comedy was announced thus : 

Rolando, (a woman hater) - Mr. Smith. 

Jacques, (the Mock Duke) - " Sol Smith. 

Dr. Lampedo, - " S. Smith. 

Lopez, - - - ." S. F.Smith. ^ 

It was remarked, next day, that " there. appeared 
to be a pretty smart chance of Smiths in the com- 
pany ;" which indeed was a fact — there did appear to 

performance, and when lie came to his senses, found himself 
marching -with a jolly company of soldiers towards Green Bay, 
having enlisted for seven years ! Having faithfully served out his 
time, he returned to the South, where he became a member of 
Mr. Caldwell's company, as above stated. He again got drunk, 
and again enlisted for seven years ! and this time he found himself 
marching towards Fort Leavenworth. It was at the termination of 
this second term of seven years that he came to St. Louis, and re- 
sumed his situation. At the end of our brief season in Port Gibson, 
Wilkie was again missing, and I have had no certain information 
respecting him since : I feel satisfied, however, that he enlisted 
into some service, possibly that of Texas; and when he had 
served out his stipulated term, may have joined the Santa-fe ex- 
pedition—then taken a hand in the Mexican war — I don't know. 



ST. LOUIS, PORT GIBSON, NATCHEZ. 31 

be a good many, every character but two in the 
comedy having a Smith opposite to it ! 

When we had concluded our season of four nights 
in Port Gibson, it was found impossible to procure 
carriages to convey us to Natchez — so we had re- 
course to a large road wagon, drawn by six horses, 
which carried the company and baggage. NotTJeiBg"*** 
desirous to make much of a parade in leaving the 
town, (in such a conveyance,) Pitts, the proprietor 
of the wagon, was requested to be ready a little be- 
fore daylight, that we might quietly take our de- 
parture. Pitts was punctual, but he came dashing 
down the street with his six horses rigged out in loud 
sounding sleigh bells ! On being remonstrated with, 
he^innocelitly answered that he didn't intend to 
charge us for the extras. After much persuasion, he 
took off the bells ; but doing this delayed our depar- 
ture until after sunrise, and we were attended to the 
end of the town by quite a respectable number of 
the rising generation, all anxious to get a last peep 
at the "show folk." At Washington, six miles 
from Natchez, we took the precaution to make a halt, 
and send honest Pitts ahead with our baggage, while 
we awaited the arrival of a couple of carriages which 
he was commissioned to send out to us. 

At Natchez we found several new members of the 
company awaiting the opening of the theatre. Among 
the rest, George Hernizen, H. Pearson, and Mr. and 
Mrs. Crooke. It was here I again met my old New 
York strolling manager, H. A. Williams, who was en- 
gaged by Mr. Caldwell, as principal low comedian, to 
supply the place of Mr. Russell. The season was 
short and very unprofitable. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THEATRICALS IN MISSISSIPPI AND WEST TENNESSEE. 

Eccentricities of Booth — Arrival of a new Actor — Departure for 
the Country Towns — Memphis, Somerville, Bolivar — A modern 
Caleb Quotem — A Log Cabin Theatre — Florence — Acting in a 
Garret — Tuscumbia — Huntsville — Preaching and Playing — Ar- 
rive at Tuscaloosa. 

Mr. Booth was nominally our stage manager this 
season, in New Orleans, (1828-9.) His "eccen- 
tricities," as his drunken capers have been charitably 
termed, began about this date, and interfered some- 
what with the interests of the theatre. Mr. George 
Holland made his debut in the burletta of a " Day 
after the Fair," and was immensely successful. More 
of him hereafter. Mrs. Knight played and sung a 
very successful engagement this season. 

On the 7th January, 1829, my son Marcus Smith 
was born. I mention him out of all my children, 
because he is the only one of them who has chosen 
the stage as a profession.* 

* The following extract from an editorial report of the opening 
of the St. Charles Theatre for the season of 1849-50, will show 
that Master Marcus appeared upon the stage of his native city 
with a fair chance of attaining popularity. 

" Family Jars" was then performed, in which Sol. Smith, as 
Old Delph, kept the house in a continued roar of laughter. In 
this character he is certainly unapproachable. Mr. Marcus Smith, 
as Diggory, made his first debut before an audience in his native 
city. He evinces much talent, and is a worthy scion of a worthy 
stock. They were applauded to the echo, and " take my hat" was 

(32) 



33 



The company was divided about the middle of the 
season, and a part sent to Natchez, under the direc- 
tion of Mr. Booth, who exhibited many " eccentrici- 
ties" to the people of the Bluff City, and more parti- 
cularly to that portion of them who inhabited the 
faubouror situated " Under the Hill." 

o 

Before the close of this season, my brother and 
myself obtained leave to withdraw from the company, 
for the purpose of organizing.a small strolling con- 
cern, intended to operate on the principal towns of 
Mississippi and West Tennessee, commencing at Poet 
Gibson, where our re-appearance was warmly greeted 
by the inhabitants. After performing at this village 
for a couple of weeks, we proceeded to the flourishing 
town of Yicksburgh, where a small theatre* was 

twice the cry of enthusiastic admirers as they flung their beavers 
at the feet of Old Sol. The Messrs. Smith, Sr. and Jr., when 
"Family Jars" were settled, were called for amid an uproar. The 
former made a handsome speech on the occasion: 

" Twenty-two years ago," said he, "before the birth of my son, 
I trod the boards in this city in the identical character which I 
have enacted this evening. ' The kindness with which you then 
received me has been generously continued throughout my pro- 
fessional career. In the course of nature, it is not probable that 
I shall remain long among you as an actor ; but I leave my son to 
take my place, and if he be so fortunate as to receive the same 
testimonies of regard and kind consideration from the inhabitants 
of his native city which his father has received, he will have 
nothing to regret. Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for him 
and for myself." 

There was a storm of applause. — N. 0. Picayune, Nov. 11, 1849. 

* The last time I passed Vicksburgh this old building was still 
standing. It is situated near the " gully," in the upper part of 
the town, and has been for some years used as a stable. " To 
what base uses," &c. 

Several theatres have been erected in Vicksburgh, and have 
been burnt nearly as soon as completed. 
3* 



34 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

erected by a Thespian Society, and leased to us. 
Here we acted for four weeks, with unvaried success ; 
and after returning for a week or two to our starting 
point, (Port Gibson,) where we played with but mode- 
rate success, we proceeded to Memphis, then a very 
small river town at the mouth of Wolf Creek, in 
West Tennessee. Here we performed in a room 
fitted up for the occasion in the house of Mr. Young, 
next to his large warehouse, then on the banks of the 
river. Old Mississippi has since moved away about 
a quarter of a mile, and Uncle Sam's Navy Yard 
now occupies the ground where the Father of Waters 
formerly traced his channel. Memphis, in 1829, 
contained about six hundred inhabitants, and was 
considered a " thriving place." Look at it now ! 
(1853.) 

Our operations were commenced in Memphis on 
the 23d of May, 1829, and we performed eight nights, 
closing on the 3d of June, the total receipts being 
$319 ! — an average of less than $40 per night. If 
my friend Jim Charles does not receive as much in a 
single night as I received in nearly two weeks, he is 
not making money very rapidly. 

On leaving this city our "journey-work" com- 
menced in reality. The conveyances to be obtained 
at this early date were anything but elegant. Com- 
mon road wagons, drawn by from four to six horses 
each, bore this small band of Thespians through the 
" Western District," if not in very great style, cer- 
tainly in great safety and at an extremely moderate 
pace. Our first stopping place was Somerville, 
where the inhabitants insisted on our giving an enter- 
tainment, which was attended by the whole village, 



ETC. 35 

the receipts amounting to §39. We gave them the 
" Day after the Wedding," and a variety of songs 
aird dancing, without scenery, and with a very small 
supply of lights. Bolivar was our next station, and 
here a room was very nicely fitted up for our per- 
formances, which were fully attended, considering the 
size of the village. The people seemed to come out 
of the woods ; but they gathered every night in such 
numbers that in a week and a half the receipts 
amounted to $349, which was an average of nearly 
$37 per night. 

Jack son was our next town, and here, for the first 
and last time, we performed in a log theatre ! A tax 
was required to be paid for the prmfege of perform- 
ing in this village ; but the municipal government 
promptly met and repealed the ordinance which 
classed the drama with shows and rope-dancing exhi- 
bitions. All honor to them for it ! Their example 
might be followed, without discredit, by the corpora- 
tions of older and larger cities. Our receipts in 
twelve nights amounted to $481 — about $40 per 
night. 

The citizen of whom we rented the log building 
which we temporarily converted into a temple of 
Thespis, bore the name of Cloud — Caleb Quotem 
would have been a more appropriate appellation for 
this gentleman ; for his occupations were as various 
as the individual so named, if not " more so." He 
was town constable, clerk of the market, auctioneer, 
nuisance master, painter (sign and ornamental), car- 
penter, joiner, negro whipper, tyler of a masonic 
lodge, sexton, hair cutter, shaver (of bank notes and 
chins), grocer, whitewasher, proprietor of the thea- 



36 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

tre, guager of spirituous liquors, baker, and deputy 
sheriff ! 

A Mr. Rudicel was not far behind his neighbor 
Cloud in the number of his callings. He was a 
dealer in dry goods and groceries, saddle and harness 
maker, (all at different stores,) tanner and currier, 
trunk manufacturer, tinner, butcher, boot and shoe 
maker, brewer, carpenter, justice of the peace, mem- 
ber of the town council, and had a monkey to show ! 

In the town of Flq^emge^ Alabama, which was our 
next place of stopping, we played in the garret of 
the principal hotel, (the largest room in the place,) 
but with poor success, our total receipts in seven 
nights amounting to but $251. 

At Tuscumbia we fared still worse, receiving only 
$150 for six nights' performances. 

Our " journey-work" was suspended for one month 
at HuNTsyiLLB, where we played eighteen nights in 
the beautiful little theatre which graces that city, to 
but a trifle over an average of $50 per night. We 
performed only four nights in the week ; but I find 
by a memorandum made at the time that there was 
" preaching every night." The preachers carried 
the day — and the night too,— and we were very glad 
to escape from Huntsville without a serious pecuniary 
loss. My brother Lemuel and his wife withdrew 
from the company at the close of the season here, 
and went to Cincinnati, where he started a little 
" journey-work" on his own hook, progressing as 
far as Pittsburgh, where he disbanded his forces the 
following spring without making a fortune. 

For myself and family, with the traveling band of 
strolling dramatists, we pursued our way southwardly, 



THEATRICALS IN MISSISSPPI, ETC. 37 

and in due time brought up at the seat of govern- 
ment, Tuscaloosa, where we played, with slight in- 
terruptions, from the 9th of September until the 
8th of January, to houses which barely paid expenses, 
without giving a dollar to the manager by way of 
profit. 



CHAPTER V. 

FIRE IN A THEATRE. 
Great Alarm — A palpable Hit, and Nobody hurt. 

The cry of " Fire !" in a theatre is a most alarm- 
ing sound. It is alarming any where, but in a theatre 
particularly so. Ever since the burning of the Rich- 
mond Theatre, whereby a great number of persons 
perished, the least alarm of any kind amongst a large 
assemblage is attributed to fire, and a rush is sure to 
be made for the doors — the " Richmond fire" being 
uppermost in the minds of all. 

Among the expedients resorted to during the some- 
what protracted season at the seat of government of 
Alabama, while awaiting the assembling of the legis- 
lature, to draw audiences to our little theatre, was 
the production of the pantomime of " Don Juan ; or, 
The Libertine Destroyed," with all the "accessories" 
of snakes spitting flames, fiends with torches, red fire 
and blue blazes, in the last scene, which was repre- 
sented in the bills of the day to be no other than the 
\infernal regions, into which the amorous Don was 
to be cast, without benefit of clergy ! 

This was all very well in the bills;" and the boys 
about town were curious to know what sort of a place 
it was they had heard so much about, but never yet 
gotten a glimpse of. They ran home to their daddies 
and mammies, and told them all about the " great 
preparations" going on at the theatre — their daddies 
(38) 



FIRE IN A THEATRE. 39 

and mammies told the neighbors — and hj the middle 
of the afternoon it was pretty generally known about 
town that " II — 11" was to be played at the theatre 
that night. The consequence was — a very full house. 

Everything went well until the " last scene of 
all." Don Juan clambered into upper windows, 
(six feet high) — committed divers murders ; escaped 
in a ship ; was cast ashore ; had a dance with the 
peasantry; was invited to sup with a spectre on 
horseback ; did the honors of the table with great 
propriety, and accepted in return an invitation to sup 
with the marble statue in a grave yard. Scaramouch, 
the Don's attendant, had his fun, too ; and what with 
riding on the back of a dolphin, dancing with fisher- 
men's wives, and eating maccaroni, he had rather a 
pleasant time of it. 

"Everybody for the last scene!" was called out 
in the green room ; the fiends sprang to their places, 
the snakes were wriggled into their situations behind 
each wing — the pots of red and blue fire were man- 
ned, and a brilliant ending of the pantomime was 
anticipated — when suddenly an alarm of fire was 
heard in the front of the house ! Confusion followed, 
of course ; the auditors tumbled over each other, all 
pushing for the openings — and I am happy to say, 
that all hut one got safely out. I will tell you pre- 
sently about that one ; but first it is proper to explain 
the cause of the alarm, for this time it had a cause, 
which was nothing more nor less than the burning 
of one of the wood wings, the fire having communi- 
cated from one of the pots of blue fire, the ingredients 
of which had not been properly apportioned. On the 
instant of the alarm, the curtain had been lowered, 



40 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

and in less than a minute the burning wing had been 
torn down and the fire extinguished, not, however, 
until the canvass had been burnt from the frame. In 
the hottest of the rumpus, a man named Somerville 
cut his way through the curtain, and in endeavroing 
to stamp out the burning piece of scenery, the pot of 
blue fire being unseen bj him, he put his foot in it, 
and the lower part of his leg was very badly burned. 
He was confined to his room for several weeks. 

Next day after the fire — or the alarm of fire — the 
town rung with an account of the danger encountered 
by the audience the night previous. The whole affair 
was greatly exaggerated. It was said, that in an 
attempt to represent the "infernal regions" on the 
stage, the scenery had caught fire— the whole theatre 
only escaping utter destruction by the intrepid daring 
of young Somerville, who had barely escaped with 
his life. The bigoted portion of the Tuscaloosans 
seized upon the circumstance, and held it up as a 
warning to all play-goers, and shaking their heads 
ominously, said they knew all along that no good 
could possibly come from encouraging profane stage 
plays in a Christian community. The truth is, the 
tide of public sentiment was fast setting in against 
our poor little theatre, and I felt it was incumbent on 
me to do something to stem it. My plan was soon 
laid, and immediately executed. 

I must here state, that the instant the fire had 
been extinguished, and the house cleared of the 
alarmed public, I called the scene painter, and told 
him I would give him a week's salary if he would 
produce a wood wing the next morning, exactly simi- 



FIRE IN A THEATRE. 41 

lar to the one burned. This he undertook to do, and 
accomplished. , 

During the afternoon of the next day " I mixed 
with the people," and ascertained that all were fear- 
ful of witnessing a repetition of Don Juan — indeed it 
seemed to be a pretty well understood thing that no 
audience could be collected together in that building 
again ! What was to be done ? The new theatre at 
Montgomery (my next stand) was not yet finished, 
nor would it be in less than four or five weeks. 

My plan was this : — I must convince the people 
that there had been no fire — that what they had seen 
was only an imitation ! 

Collecting together a committee of respectable citi- 
zens, we all took a drink and proceeded to the thea- 
tre. " Gentlemen," said I, after seating them on the 
front bench, " it has been reported, much to the 
injury of my interests, and the interests of the drama, 
that there was a fire here last night. My object in 
asking you hither, is to disabuse you, and through 
you the public of Tuscaloosa on this subject." Here 
one of the cutest of the committee observed — " Come, 
Smith, that won't exactly do ; I was here myself, 
and there certainly was a fire — something of a fire ; 
for before the curtain was lowered, I saw one of them 
wings, I think you call them, all in a bright flame." 

" My worthy friend," I replied, " I don't in the 
least doubt you think you saw it in a bright flame, as 
you say; but my object is to convince you that you 
labored under an optical illusion." 

" Optical h — 11 and d — n !" exclaimed rather has- 
tily the aforesaid speaker — " I tell you I saw with 

4 



42 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

my own eyes that scenery which stood down there at 
your left, all in a blaze." 

" Excuse me, my dear sir," calmly replied I — 
" you think you saw it ; but I'll convince you in one 
moment of your error." 

Here I called the carpenter, and asked him to place 
the first wood wing in its appropriate groove. This 
he did almost instantly. 

" There, gentlemen," I said, pointing to the newly 
painted piece of scenery, triumphantly, — " I believe 
you will recognize that; you have seen it often 
enough." 

A close examination now took place, the result of 
which was the firm belief that it was the same wing 
they had supposed to be destroyed by fire. The 
committee of citizens unanimously agreed that the 
imitation of fire the night previous had been most 
perfect, and gave me a certificate, which I published 
in an extra poster, that they had investigated the 
whole subject, and had come to the conclusion that 
there had been a false alarm of fire in the theatre, 
and that there was no danger whatever in visiting 
that admirably conducted establisment. " Don Juan" 
had a " run," and was the most successful piece of 
the season — the last scene being particularly ap- 
plauded for its truthful representation of the infernal 
regions. 

But poor Somerville ! — where was he all this 
time ? He had heard of the reports about town, that 
the fire was all a sham; but he was confined to his 
room from the effects of this sham fire. One day he 
came limping to the theatre. 



FIRE IN A THEATRE. 43 

" Look here, old fellow," said he — " what is all 
this they've been telling me about ,your sham fires ? 
Do you mean to say that this burn I've got on my 
leg was inflicted by sham fire?" 

" My dear sir," I replied, gravely — "I don't know 
how you got your hurt ; I remember seeing you in 
here during the alarm — and if you got injured in 
your efforts to extinguish what you supposed to be 
the flames, I regret it exceedingly." 

" But," expostulated Somerville, " do you mean to 
say, that one of your wings was not in a bright 
blaze ?" 

" I mean to say," replied I, " that one of the wings 
might have appeared to be burning — but there is the 
wing to speak for itself," I continued, pointing it out. 

It was a somewhat remarkable wing. It stood 
front of all the rest, and was therefore familiar to the 
view of the audience. It was moreover of a peculiar 
kind, being composed principally of the body o£ a 
large tree, with a dead limb on one side and a trer 
mendous knothole on the other. It was a wing to be 
remembered. 

Somerville took a good look at the renovated wing 
— went around it, viewed it in every light—; felt of it, 
and at last, being apparently perfectly satisfied, 
observed, as .he limped away — 

"Well, I'll be d— d if that fire wasn't the best 
imitation I ever saw !" 



CHAPTER VI. 

THEATRICAL PIONEERING ON THE ALABAMA RIVER. 

Montgomery — Two worthy citizens — Madame Feron, the Canta- 
triee — Queer substitutes for an Orchestra — Thomas Hamblin — 
Selina — A theatre-going community — Mobile. 

Previous to this time I had made a contract with 
Mr. Caldwell to lease from him the Natchez Theatre 
for a spring season ; and it was now time to wend my 
way to open that establishment, in order to " catch 
the stars" as they passed up from New Orleans to the 
cities of the Western country ; but receiving from 
Montgomery a warm invitation to visit that town, 
and "occupy for a limited period a beautiful new 
theatre, just erected by a Thespian Society, instead 
of taking a boat for Mobile, on our way to Natchez, 
(through New Orleans,) we once more betook our- 
selves to the large road wagons, and in five days 
found ourselves, " bag and baggage," at the place 
which is now the seat of government of Alabama. 

Here I beeame acquainted with John H. Thor- 
ington, a lawyer of great practice, who possessed all 
the qualities requisite to constitute a good man. He 
is no longer living to read my praises ; but it affords 
me a melancholy pleasure to record his unvarying 
kindness to me and mine. As mayor or intendant 
of the town, some years afterwards, he took a decided 
stand against the gamblers who congregated in 
Montgomery, in great foree, and he was persecuted 
by them in various ways, until he concluded to leave 
(44) 



THEATRICAL PIONEERING. 45 

the place, and remove to the western country. In 
Iowa he was afflicted with a disease consequent upon 
the severe climate, which settled into his limbs, caus- 
ing paralysis, and threatening his life. In hopes of 
relief, he was taken to New Orleans, and placed as a 
boarder in the Charity Hospital, where he ended his 
days. I was with him while he was lying on his death- 
bed, and afforded him at least the satisfaction of 
knowing he had a friend near him. Poor Thoring- 
ton ! He could not speak his thanks ; but the pres- 
sure of his hand, even after he had lost the ability to 
raise his arm, told me that his stout Irish heart re- 
tained its warmth to the last pulsation. 

There were other warm and true friends that I 
made in Montgomery — George Whitman, for one. 
At the time I write of, Mr. Whitman was one of 
the first merchants of the place, and owned real estate 
sufficient to make him a millionaire, which he would 
undoubtedly be at this moment — if he had held on 
to it. 

The Montgomery Theatre opened, in an un- 
finished state, the latter part of January^, 1830. The 
attendance was good for two weeks, which was the 
limit of our stay, in consequence of my engagement 
at Natchez. Madame Feron, the great singer, per- 
formed with us two nights, and as we were without a 
regular orchestra, various means were resorted to for 
an accompaniment to her songs. A piano-forte was 
introduced upon the stage, and she accompanied her- 
self in some pieces — in others, she pressed me into 
the service. Thus in the farce entitled, " Of Age 
to-morrow," the dialogue was necessarily changed a 
little from the original text : 
4* 



46 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

Maria — I had a lover once. 

Baron — A lover ? Twenty, I dare say. 

Maria — But he deserted me. 

Baron — Deserted you? Impossible? "What had 
he to say for himself? 

Maria — He said nothing ; but [if you 11 have the 
kindness to seat yourself at that piano, and give me 
an accompaniment] I'll tell you what I said to him." 

Suiting the action to the word, the accomodating 
Baron Willinghurst (personated by the writer hereof,) 
seated himself at the piano, and the beautiful song, 
"As I hang on your bosom," was gloriously breathed 
forth by the great prima donna of European Opera, 
in a theatre surrounded by uncut trees, and occupied 
by an audience whose appreciation was as warm as that 
of the dilettanti of Italy. In the farce of "No Song 
no Supper," to account for the presence, in Farmer 
Crop's house, of so rich an article of furniture as a 
piano-forte, Crop was constrained to say that a rich 
neighbour had stored it there until he could get his 
new house ready for its reception. Thus accounting 
for the instrument being there, it was an easy matter 
to ask Margaretta to play upon it — then a song was 
asked for ; and after that another, and so on. 
Madame Feron entered into the spirit of the scene, 
and seemed to enjoy herself very much, imparting 
her good humour to all around, both before and be- 
hind the curtain. Mr. Maddox, since manager of the 
Princess Theatre, London, accompanied Madame 
Feron, as her man of business. From Montgomery 
she proceeded to New Orleans, where she had an 
engagement. 

In two weeks we received in Montgomery the sum 



THEATRICAL PIONEERING. 47 

of $883, out of which I paid Madame Feron $101 for 
her two nights acting and singing. 

At the moment of departure from this village, I 
had a pleasant interview with Mr. Thomas S. Hamblin, 
who was returning from a southern engagement. 
While revising these pages, I hear of his decease ! 

"We proceeded next to Selma, a very small village 
on the Alabama river, where we performed nine 
nights in a ball room, fitted up for the purpose, to 
receipts of exactly $70 per night. The number of 
inhabitants did not exceed 400, white, black, and 
children. Those who visited the theatre, visited it 
every night. The sheriff, being one day compelled to 
leave town on business, came and left Ms dollar at 
the bar of the hotel where we performed ! 

Arrived at Mobile, I was strongly urged to remain 
there and open the theatre, a shell of a place in St. 
Francis street, which was offered to me by those who 
represented the interests of Mr. Ludlow, by whom it 
was built ; but, considering myself bound to open the 
Natchez Theatre, I pushed on to that city. 



CHAPTER VII. 

FIFTY MILES A DAY TOUGH JOURNEY-WORK. 

Back to Natchez — Bold move in management — Dividing the Com- 
pany — Journey-work on horseback — " The king's name a tower 
of strength" — Riding post— Extract from Journal — Triumphant 
termination of the season. 

The Natchez Theatre opened under my manage- 
ment on the 10th March, 1830, with the following 
company : Messrs. H. A. Williams, Crooke, Kidd, 
Campion, Marks, Myers, Tatem, Cole, Anderson, 
Perry, Sol. Smith : Mesdames Smith, Crooke, Honey, 
Prescott, Graham, and Miss Vos — which was after- 
wards augmented by the arrival of my brother, 
Lemuel Smith, on his return from his unsuccessful 
traveling expedition to Pittsburgh, and other Ohio 
river towns, where he experienced the usual vicissi- 
tudes which almost invariably attend " schemes" of 
that kind. 

Having at this time accumulated a sufficient sum 
(about $1100) to pay all my debts in Cincinnati, with 
interest, I was very anxious to proceed thither, and 
accomplish the object of my seven years' toil. But I 
Soon found that my hard earnings were likely to be 
swept away by a failing season of a few weeks in 
Natchez. I now became sensible of the folly of leav- 
ing my " journey-work," hard as it was, for the luxury 
of the "regular theatre." At the close of the first 
week, the receipts fell $150 short of the expenditures ; 
and it was very evident that there was no likelihood of 
48 



FIFTY MILES A DAY — TOUGH JOURNEY-WORK. 49 

an improvement in the business. In this emergency I 
ventured upon a bold plan to save myself from loss. 
It was this : I divided my forces, placing my old New 
York manager, H. A.Williams, in command of a detach* 
ment for Po_rt~-Gibson, where they opened the theatre, 
and continued to perform three nights in the week for 
nearly five weeks, at the same time that the Natchez 
concern was in operation four nights in the week ! 
Even this bold manoeuvre came near failing to ac- 
complish the object I had in view, the receipts falling 
far below my anticipations in the then thriving village 
of Port Gibson. At the end of the first week's trial 
there, the following letter from my Lieutenant Gene- 
ral was received : 



" Port Gibson, March — , 1830. 
u My Sovereign : — This expedition must be a fail- 
ure, unless I have reinforcements. I have only 
squeezed out of the Gibsonians $162 in three trials, 
which, after paying for transportation, and fitting up 
the house, gives but about $50, with which to liqui- 
date a salary list of $200 and upwards — to say 
nothing of rent and printer's bills. Might I suggest, 
mighty sovereign, the kind of force best calculated to 
retrieve our lost ground here, I should say, come and 
act yourself. ' The king's name is a tower of 
strength,' and if you will authorize me to announce 
you for Wednesday, as Captain Copp, I promise you 
a rich return from the treasury. 

" Your faithful subject, 

" H. A. Williams, 
" Gren. of 2d Division, or Forlorn Mope." 



50 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

The following was my reply : 

" Theatre, Natchez, Sunday, March — , 1830. 
" Gen. Williams : — I'll try it. Wednesday — Cap- 
tain Copp. 

" Yours truly, 

"Sol. Smith." 

The journey of fifty miles was easily performed on 
horseback, and the result was highly satisfactory — 
the treasurer's return being for that single night $166 
— four dollars more than the entire receipts of the 
previous week ! My reception was enthusiastic in 
the extreme ; and being called before the curtain, at 
the close of the comedy of " Charles II.," I promised 
a second visit. 

Returning to Natchez the next day, and acting in 
play and afterpiece at night, the Friday morning 
found me stiff and nearly done up ; nevertheless I 
pushed on to the fulfilment of the promise made 
to my friends at Port Gibson, and performed 
Delph, on Friday night, to a house rising $100. 
Acted again at Natchez, on Saturday night ; and 
finding by the meagre receipts at P. G. on the same 
night, (less than $20 !) that my performing the 
journey every day between our two towns would 
probably save me from loss on the season, I resolved 
to encounter the fatigue, and made arrangements for 
a relay of horses, by which means I could perform 
the journey in five hours. This feat I actually ac- 
complished — traveling fifty miles everyday in the 
week, except Sundays, and acting every night for 
nearly a month ! It almost killed me ; and I feel 
the effects of such exertions to this day. But my 



IFTY MILES A DAY— TOUGH JOURNEY-WORK. 51 

object was gained — my profits at port Gibson equalled 
my losses at Natchez, and I was enabled to carry out 
my long cherished wish to pay my debts. 

It may be interesting to some of the hard working 
"stock" of the St. Charles, who consider it something 
of a hardship to rise in the morning in time to attend 
a 10 o'clock rehearsal, and who can scarcely accom- 
plish the labor of studying a new part once in a week, 
to learn how I managed to get through the labor 
above mentioned. Premising that the roads, in those 
days, were somewhat muddy and deep, I give a short 

EXTRACT EROM MY JOURNAL : 

Wednesday. ~- Ross at break of day. Horse at the door. Swal- 
lowed a cup of coffee while the boy was tying on leggings. 
Reached Washington at 8. Changed horses at 9 — again at 10 — 
and at 11. At 12 arrived at Port Gibson. Attended rehearsal — 
settled business with stage manager. . Dined at 4. Laid down 
and endeavored to sleep at 5. Up again at 6. Rubbed down and 
washed by Jim (a negro boy.) Dressed at 7. Acted the " Three 
Singles" and "Splash." To bed at 11 \. 

Thursday. — Rose arid breakfasted at 9. At 10 attended re- 
hearsal for the pieces of next day. At 1, leggings tied on, and 
braved the mud for a fifty miles' ride. Rain falling all the way. 
Arrived at Natchez at half-past 6. Rubbed down and took supper. 
Acted Ezelciel Homespun and Delph to a poor house. To bed (stiff 
as steel yards) at 12. 

Friday. — Cast pieces — counted tickets — attended rehearsal until 
1, P. M. To horse again for Port Gibson — arrived at 7. No time 
to eat dinner or supper ! Acted in the "Magpie and Maid" and 
" No Song No Supper," in which latter piece managed to get a few 
mouthfuls of cold roasted mutton and some dry bread, they being 
the first food tasted this day! &c, &c , &c, &c, &c. 

BUT I PAID MY DEBTS ! 



CHAPTER VIII. 

RETURN TO THE CRESCENT CITY. 

Cincinnati — Engagement at Louisville — Jim Crow Rice — Parson 
Parsons — "My Old Woman" — Off to Nashville — No success 
there — Bolivar and Memphis — The "Rapid" steamboat — Open- 
ing in New Orleans — The Plebeians and Pelbians — Cast of 
Henry VIII. 

The season over, and all matters settled up with 
the company, who proposed to visit some of the 
Louisiana towns, enlisting, for the time being, under 
the banner of my brother Lemuel, I left Natchez with 
a light heart, and $1200 dollars in my pocket, for 
Cincinnati, taking Vicksburgh in my way, where 
we performed (my wife and self) with manager Jack- 
son, for one-third of the nightly receipts, clearing 
$175 in three nights. 

Arrived at Cincinnati, Mr. Ludlow, then manager 
of the Columbia Street Theatre, offered me an en- 
gagement for a few nights, which I accepted, and 
played Mawworm for my benefit. This engagement 
was not remunerative, either to the manager or my- 
self — the benefit night being the only one which 
yielded a profit. 

A summer's rest placed me on my legs again ; and 
with the coming of the fall season of the year, came 
the desire to resume the duties of my arduous pro- 
fession. After negotiating an engagement with Mr. 
Caldwell for the coming winter in New Orleans, we 
accepted an offer from Mr. Parsons, acting manager 
(52) 



RETURN TO THE CRESCENT CITY. 



for Mr. Drake, to perform twenty nights in Louis- 
ville, receiving for our services the sum of $220. 
Mr. T. D. Rice was a member of the company here, 
and was busily engaged in composing and arranging 
his " Jim Crow" songs, which afterwards raised him 
to the topmost wave of popularity, both in this 
country and England. Charles B. Parsons, the act- 
ing manager, took upon himself the leading charac- 
ters in tragedy, and played Hamlet, Brutus, Vir- 
ginius, Holla, and pale-face-hating aboriginal charac- 
ters, "written expressly for him," much to his own 
satisfaction, and that of the public. I have since 
heard him give copious extracts from the speeches of 
Hamlet, in the pulpit — without, however, having the 
candor to acknowledge the name of the " poet" whose 
words he was transplanting into his sermons. As a 
Methodist Preacher, Mr. Parsons succeeds better than 
he did on the stage — at least I think so ; and what's 
more, I believe him to be now a sincere Christian — 
albeit it must be acknowledged he is not yet entirely 
free from the besetting sin of " our tribe" — vanity. 

Miss Eliza Petrie, daughter of the Mrs. Petrie who 
had traveled with me through Tennessee and Alabama 
as actress of the old ladies of the drama, was the 
young lady of the Louisville company. She possessed 
a good voice for singing, and was beginning to be- 
come popular with the public. Mrs. Rowe was the 
"old woman," and her husband performed the duties 
of prompter. Old Henderson was here " at home," 
and very popular. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Muzzy 
were useful members of the company, as were Mr. 
and Miss Clarke. My wife played what is termed the 
singing business, with some parts in comedy, which 

5 



54 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK 

rendered her a favorite, and ensured her a good bene- 
fit, on which occasion she personated the Countess in 
a play entited "My Old Woman." My benefit was 
also a good one, after taking which, our engagement 
being over, we proceeded to Nashville, where we 
were engaged to act six or eight nights, with Messrs. 
Rowe, Gray and Mondelli, who temporarily had the 
management of the theatre. All I remember of this 
engagement is this : a great number of " stars," so 
called, were playing, and the houses were awfully 
empty ! The names of Mr. Caldwell, Mr. and Mrs. 
Pearman, Mr. Geo. Holland, and (to make matters 
worse) the writer hereof and his wife, were all an- 
nounced in flaming capitals at the head of the bill, on one 
occasion, without attracting to the house forty d-Alars I 

It was at this time, (on our way to Memphis,) that, 
stopping to dine at Bolivar, I was persuaded to re- 
main over night, to " give an entertainment," (as I 
supposed,) but in fact to 'preach a sermon ' in the 
Court-House ! — the landlord having previously been 
told that I had been "converted," and had left the 
stage. If the reader of this narrative has favored me so 
far as to glance over my " Theatrical Apprenticeship 
and Anecdotical Recollections," he or she will here 
recognize the groundwork of the sketch entiled, " My 
First and Last Sermon." 

At Memphis, on our way to New Orleans, we 
played a week, with a profitable result, in a tempo- 
rary theatre, under the management of my brother 
Lemuel, who at this point concluded his strolling sum- 
mer season. My brother and the principal members 
of his party joined Mr. Caldwell's company, and 
after a delay of two weeks, waiting for a boat, [we 



RETURN TO THE CRESCENT CITY. 55 

are not obliged to wait so long now a-days,] the con- 
centrated theatrical force made their way to the 
southern emporium, on an unusally slow boat called 
the "Rapid." 

The veteran tragedian, Cooper, came this season to 
act a fortnight. I remember seeing him play FzV- 
ginius, Beverly, Sir John Falstaff, (first time,) and 
Cardinal Wolsey. He was not very successful. In 
" Henry IV." Mr. Holland and myself were cast for 
the carriers — Holland being announced at the head 
of the bill as a star ! 

Mr. Pelby also played an engagement, and had 
some disagreement with the management, which led 
to a personal encounter between him and the stage 
manager, Cowell. A large portion of the company 
sided in opinion with Mr. Pelby, supposing him to be 
ill used an account of his being an American ; and 
the matter frequently forming the subject of discus- 
sion in the green room, the prompter one night be- 
came confused, and instead of calling the Roman 
citizens to the stage as " All the Plebeians" bawled 
out, "All the PelbiansV which caused a great 
laugh at the time. A lawsuit was the result of the 
misunderstanding between Mr. P. and the manager, 

and that eventuated in a verdict for 1 don't 

know which of the parties, and now I don't care. 

The play of "Henry VIII." was produced with 
great splendor, and with the following cast, so far as 
my memory serves me : 

King Henry VIII., - - Mr. J. M. Scott. 
Cardinel Wolsey, - " Cooper, 

Buckingham, - - " Pearson. 



56 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

Cromwell, - Mr. Lullow. 

Lord Sands, " Sol. Smith. 

Queen Katherine, - - Miss Jane Placide. 
Anne Boleyn, - Mrs. Rowe. 

Patience, (with song " Angels ever bright,") Mrs. 
Sol. Smith. 

Mr. Cooper appeared twice as Jack Fahtaff, which 
character he personated, according to my poor judg- 
ment, better than any individual who had undertaken 
it on the American stage since the days of Cooke, 
whose style he followed as nearly as he could. 

Clara Fisher performed a successful engagement 
here this season, [1830-31.] A beautiful actress she 
then was, and a beautiful woman — the latter she is 
yet, to my eyes. I have not seen her act since the 
above date ; but she must be (as Mrs. Maeder) a 
most desirable person in a dramatic company, for she 
cannot be persuaded away from New York, where she 
is yearly " scrambled" for by the managers. 



CHAPTER IX. 

NATCHEZ AND ST. LOUIS — JOURNEY-WORK. RESUMED. 

Detachment for Natchez — Failing Season at St. Louis — Organiza- 
tion for more Journey-Work. 

It became the policy of the management to make a 
season at Natchez, for the purpose of sending thither 
some of the " stars" who visited New Orleans. A 
detachment of the company was according detailed for 
that city, and the command given to Mr. Ludlow. 
My brother Lem and myself, with my wife, (Lem's 
wife remained at Cincinnati,) were among the unhappy 
conscripts. With great reluctance we departed for 
the City of the Bluffs, for we had provided ourselves 
with comfortable winter quarters in the Crescent City. 
However, there was no appeal from Manager Cald- 
well's decisions — and if you attempted to remonstrate 
with him on any subject, he was sure to convince you 
that you were in the wrong ! So we went to Natehez. 

In consequence of what I then considered and do 
yet consider the injustice of the management towards 
my wife, in Natchez, I withdrew her from the theatre 
during the early part of the season, and she conse- 
quently did not appear again until my benefit, which 
was a very great one, yielding a receipt of two hun- 
dred dollars more than than that of any other mem- 
ber of the company. During the season Miss Clara 
Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. Plumer, Mr. Charles Kean and 
Mr. J. M. Scott performed starring engagements, 
which were more or less profitable (generally less) to 

5* (57) 



58 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

the proprietor. Upon the whole, the season could 
not be said to be a successful one. 

Accepting a re-engagement with Mr. Caldwell, we 
next went with the company to St. Louis, where the 
season was an utter failure. I find, by reference to 
some scraps of memoranda, that the theatre closed in 
July, and the main body of the dramatic forces pro- 
ceeded to Louisville, (still under the management of 
Viceroy Ludlow,) whilst I, with a small party, gathered 
together in haste, opened the St. Louis Salt House 
Theatre at half price, and did a thriving business for 
two weeks. The newly organized company consisted 
of Messrs. L. Smith, (leading actor in tragedy, and 
light comedy,) Pearson, Carter, Baily, Short, Palmer, 
Jones, Wilkins, Mrs. Sol. Smith, (leading actress,) 
Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Palmer and Miss Carter. Baily 
was the most useful man I ever employed. Besides 
acting, and singing between the pieces, he was " Pro- 
perty Man," and attended entirely to the fitting up 
of our temporary theatres while we were journey- 
ing. St. Louis at this time contained less than 7000 
inhabitants. 

From St. Louis we traveled on the steamer Pow- 
hattan. Col. Twiggs, of the army, was among the 
passengers. I had the happiness of forming his 
acquaintance, and found him to be a most agreeable 
gentleman. When I left the boat, he presented me 
with an Indian pipe, which I carefully preserved for 
the fire of 1838, in Mobile. 



CHAPTER X. 

SECOND SEASON. IN WEST TENNESSEE. 

Third visit to Memphis — Bolivar, Florence and Tuscumbia — Eulo- 
gistic Poetry — Columbia — Thespian Theatre at Pulaski — The 
Stage Struck Young Lady — A Black Cloud — The Chase. 

Our first halting place, in this our new campaign, 
was Memphis. Here we performed seven nights with 
indifferent success, and then departed for Bolivar, 
where my former landlord received me with open arms, 
having found out that the report of my having retired 
from the stage and taken to preaching, was all a mis- 
take. I think, however, my " First and Last Sermon" 
must have converted a good many of the Bolivarians, 
for they no longer flocked to the theatre, as on the 
occasion of our former visit. Our total receipts in 
six nights amounted to but $151. We left, and I 
have never visited that village since — either as an 
actor or as a preacher. 

In Florence we fared no better — the receipts 
averaging about the same as at Bolivar. We tried a 
week over at Tuscumbia ; but a religious excitement 
prevailing there at the time, (one lady, a Mrs. Good- 
low, hanged herself in her ecstasy,) we played but 
six nights, to an average of $42 per night, and quit. 
The only other incident of interest, during our stay 
in this place, was the evident impression I made on 
the susceptible heart of some young lady, which 
caused her to break out in the following paraphrase 
of some old verses, through the newspaper : 

(59) 



60 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

TO " OLD SOL"— The Western Comedian. 

BY A YOUNG LADY OF TUSCUMBIA. 

Let bigots rail against the stage, 

In senseless declamation dull ; 
They ne'er, with all their rant and rage, 

Could calm a heart, like thee, " Old Sol!" 

Let others praise the Forrest green, 
And some their Booths will yet extol ; 

But to expel the blues or spleen, 

You're for my money, yet, " Old Sol!" 

Let dandies stay at home and gaze 

Upon some automaton doll ; 
Such senseless beings, some may please, 

Because they've never seen thee, " Sol!" 

And lovers, too, be highly pleased 

While pleading to some Pegg or Poll, — 

I'd with such nonsense ne'er be teazed 

While I could hear thee plead, " Old Sol!" 

Farewell, and may it be thy lot, 

Where'er you go t'have houses full — 

And-when you come this way, I wot, 
We'll treat you with a Bumper, " SOL !" 

Our next town was Columbia, (Tenn.,) where we 
acted twelve nights in a very neat little theatre, 
owned by a histrionic association, and our receipts 
reached $60 per night. I find, on reference to my 
cash book, that the comedy -of the " Hypocrite" was 
the most attractive piece we played about" these days. 

At the spirited little town of Pulaski we performed 
a week, in the theatre belonging to the Thespian 
Society, to very good houses. Previous to commenc- 
ing, we attended a representation of the society, by 



SECOND SEASON IN WEST TENNESSEE. 61 

invitation, and I must say I have seldom enjoyed a 
performance more than on that oceasion. The theatre 
was about sixty feet long and thirty wide. No 
boxes — all pit. Over the curtain were two ill-pro- 
portioned mermaids, or some other nondescript ani- 
mals, blowing trumpets, and supporting a scroll with 
these words inscribed upon it : " The world in 
miniature." Underneath this motto was painted what 
was intended to be a representation of a pile of 
drums, trumpets, fiddles, guitars, and cannon balls ; 
the remainder of a very high proscenium, tapering 
off at the top like the gable-end of a house, was 
painted to resemble brick I This embellishment was 
hugely admired by the Pulaskians ; and I was called 
upon for my opinion of the decorations. Of course I 
admired them very much. The Thespian perform- 
ances consisted of the " Soldier's Daughter," and 
" Three Weeks after Marriage." The costume adopted 
by the amateur actors was ludicrous in the extreme. 
The reading and acting were equally so. The gentle- 
men wore their hats pulled down over their eyes 
during the whole evening, as if fearful of being 
known. The ladies (made of large boys) strided 
about " in a very peculiar and unfeminine manner. 
Young Malfort entered through a back window ! arid 
justified the step by the language of the text, which 
makes him say, " I believe I have mistaken the apart- 
ment." Frank Heartall, in expressing his extrava- 
gant joy at finding his supposed rival is a brother of 
the widow, instead of making use of the language 
selected for that purpose by the author, broke out 
in the following strain : "lam so happy that I could 
jump over the Ohio, wade up the Mississippi, and 



62 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

tow two steamboats over the Falls at Louisville !" 
In the afterpiece Sir Charles Mackett changed the 
game of whist to that of poker, as being a game better 
understood in that section of country, and swore at 
his wife at a terrible rate, using the profane expres- 
sion, " By G — d !" at least fifty times ! 

A fair-haired girl, sixteen years of age, fojlowed us 
to this place from Columbia, with a determination to 
join the company and become an actress. I dis- 
suaded her from her purpose; but she persisted. 
I placed her under the care of the landlady of the 
house where we boarded, and promised to give her an 
answer to her application in a w T eek. In the mean- 
time I wrote back to her parents, stating the circum- 
stances of the girl's elopement, and begging them to 
come or send for her. The day before we left the 
town, her brother arrived, and after much persuasion 
on his part, and a positive refusal to receive her into 
the company on mine, she consented to return to her 
anxious parents. 

The night previous to our departure, we were com- 
plimented wilt a serenade, by all the musicians of 
the place. 

My brother and myself were in the habit of play- 
ing off all sorts of jokes — at the expense of whoever 
happened to come in our way, and occasionally on 
each other. We left Pulaski on a Sunday morning. 
The ladies were provided with a carriage, while Lem 
and myself rode on horseback. The carriage started 
early, and was many miles on the road before we left 
the hotel, where I was detained an hour or two in 
settling up the bill, and closing the business of the 
little season. Lem managed to slip off a few minutes 



SECOND SEASON IN WEST TENNESSEE. 63 

before me, promising to wait my coming up a couple 
of miles from the town. He did wait for me. As I 
was descending into one of the beautiful vallies of 
that region, I saw before me a little army of negroes, 
some on horseback and others on foot, drawn up 
across the road, as if to interrupt my progress. I 
paid but little attention to this, as I knew the slaves 
were mostly at liberty on Sundays, and I supposed 
they had a gathering for some frolic of their own. 
The only thing that puzzled me was the fact that 
there was my brother, riding up and down, marshal- 
ing the negroes, addressing them earnestly, and fre- 
quently pointing towards me as I descended the hill. 
I was not left long in doubt as to their intentions ; 
for when I had arrived within about ten yards of the 
crowd, my brother called out to me, at the top of his 
voice — i; I charge you, in the name of General Jack- 
son and the State of Tennessee, to surrender !" To 
carry on the joke which I supposed he was playing 
on the negroes, I answered — " I will not surrender 
w T ith life." Upon receiving this answer, he instantly 
turned to the crowd, and addressing it in a very ear- 
nest manner, said — " This is the murderer of my bro- 
ther Sol. — seize him!" The negroes made a rush 
towards me, and urged on by my mischievous brother, 
attempted to seize my bridle rein. Finding there 
was no escape but in flight, I put spurs to my horse, 
and upsetting some of the foremost of the gang, made 
my way through the crowd, and set off at full speed 
towards Huntsville. I was closely followed by my 
brother, and the black crowd, several miles, the hue 
and cry bringing out fresh forces from every planta- 
tion we passed. By hard riding I at length distanced 



64 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

my pursuers, all but Lem, who of course zealously 
pursued the supposed murderer of his brother, until 
the negroes were left far behind. We then enjoyed 
a most hearty laugh — but both of us resolved to leave 
off such practical jokes against each other, lest we 
might some day raise a storm we could not quell, 
which was nearly the case in the present instance. 



CHAPTER XL 

MANAGERIAL COUP D'ETAT. 

Last visit to Huntsyille and Tuscaloosa — The colored property- 
man — Candidates for the stage— . Coup d'etat — Adjournment of 
a Night Session — A good benefit. 

At Huntsville we made a season of four weeks, 
and our receipts averaged only $60 per night. This 
was my last professional visit to this thriving city. 
The drama may flourish here at some distant day ; 
but it will be when religious meetings and faro banks 
shall have lost their attractions. 

A journey of one hundred and eighty miles brought 
us to Tuscaloosa, where the state legislature was 
in session, and where we opened on the 19th of No- 
vember, 1831, with the " Soldier's Daughter," and 
the " Two Gregories." 

On the second night we performed "Pizarro," my 
brother acting the part of Holla. In the last act, 
after seizing the child, and as he was rushing up 
towards the bridge, he observed a tall negro holdiug 
a teacup full of blood, (rose pink,) which was wanted 
almost immediately on the other side of the stage. 
As he passed, he said to the negro — " Here, boy, 
carry that blood round to me on the other side — I 
want it the moment I cross the bridge." Away 
dashed Rolla, bearing the child aloft, amidst a volley 
of Spanish musketry ; and turning to cut away the 
bridge with his sword, what was his horror to see the 
tall negro walk deliberately upon the stage, between 

6 (65) 



66 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

the "waters," and in full sight of the audience, hold- 
ing the cup in one hand and stirring up the contents 
■with the forefinger of the other, and hear him ex- 
claim — " Heah, master Smith — here's your blood !" 
I ordered the drop to be lowered immediately, to shut 
in the ludicrous scene. 

While in Tuscaloosa, I received the following appli- 
cations. They will serve as a specimen of the hun- 
dreds received in the course of a year : 

"To the theatre at Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The postmaster will 
please present this to some of the performers at the theatre. 

" Gentlemen — I would claim your attention for a few minutes on 
a subject which I feel deeply interested in. I am now a clerk in 
the small village of Moulton, Lawrence county, Alabama. I have 
been to several theatres, and have read many of Shakspeare's 
plays, which convince me at once that I was destined for no other 
purpose than to be a performer on the stage your company as I 
have b'een informed is the most selebrated in the State for its 
order and intelligence. My family are respectable and wealthy 
they do not live near this place and I have always wished to 
travel or end my days on the stage. It is probable that you may 
want a young man who would feel himself under many obligations 
to be one of your company and as it is essential to performers to 
be a good size &c mine is as follows I am common size weigh 
130 or 140 pound well proportioned 18 years of age and if you 
think I will suit you please let me know and also the terms on 
which you would be willing to receive me by so doing you will 
confer a favor on one who can properly appreciate your kindness 
with much respect I am your friend Alex Dupont." 

The other is dated December 17, 1831, and comes 
from I know not where. 

" To Mr. Solomon Smith, Esqr. 

" Dear sur I have discovered since you was here at this place, 
and performd at the Bell Tavern in Selma that Miss Sarah 
Robeson, was verry ankshious to jine you as an Acktriss and I have 



MANAGERIAL COUP D'ETAT. 67 

every rezun to bleve that she wood make a furst-rait one, and iff 
you stand in kneed of sich a pursen I have no dout butt you could 
git her on aplekashun. She wood willingly have gon with you 
when you was here hut she was a little two delikit to make her 
whish nown to you without hawing sum solissitashun and cons- 
kuently she made her intenshuns nown to me, so that threw me 
they mite be made nown to you and iff you will enquier in Selma 
and see the girl I have no dout butt you wood doo her a favur. I 
rite this at her rekuest. Ures and so fourth." 

[Signature omitted.] 

Towards the close of the season the night sessions 
of the legislature interfered considerably with the 
interests of the theatre, — so much so, indeed, that 
whenever a night session was held our hall was nearly 
deserted. 

My benefit was announced for the closing night of 
the dramatic season, and I did hope that on this par- 
ticular occasion a night session of the legislature 
would be dispensed with, as many influential members 
of both houses had assured me they would do all in 
their power to make my benefit a good one. 

The election of bank directors, by joint ballot, had 
been postponed from day to day for nearly a week — 
one house resolving on meeting the other on such a 
day, and the other amending the resolution, by pro- 
posing another, and so on ; until the very day my 
benefit was announced to take place at night. Just 
as the house was about to adjourn, in the afternoon, 
the resolution of the senate appointing that very day 
for the election of directors, was amended by substi- 
tuting " at night," and it was generally understood by 
senators, representatives, and citizens, that the 
senate would meet and concur in the amendment of 
the house, and that immediately thereupon the 



68 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

senate would proceed to the hall of the house of 
representatives, and the election would be pro- 
ceeded with. No one unacquainted with Alabama 
politics, can form the least idea of the absorbing 
interest created by these elections, by the legislature 
in joint session. Everything else is forgotten — the 
galleries are crowded with spectators ; the whole 
town turns out en masse, as though the affair could 
not be gotten through with without their general and 
particular attention. As for myself, I saw at a 
glance that " it was all up with me," unless I could, 
by a bold and successful coup d'etat, upset the whole 
arrangement of the " collected wisdom" of the Com- 
monwealth. 

" Here goes," said I to my brother, as I sallied 
out after a late and hasty dinner — "Nothing like 
trying ! Go to the theatre and have everything 
ready for a punctual beginning." 

" All. right," answered Lem. — " 111 have every- 
thing ready, you may depend on that ; but I fear we 
shall have to play to empty benches." 

" Perhaps not," I replied ; 

"If I fail not in my deep intent, 

we shall play the i Hypocrite' to a good house yet." 
So saying, I departed on my electioneering mission. 
During two seasons in Tuscaloosa, it may be sup- 
posed I had made many friends, both among the 
members of the legislature and the citizens. As I 
hurried through the streets on my present errand, I 
met many of the latter, who shook their heads in a 
peculiarly sorrowful and discouraging manner, say- 
ing, "Ah, Sol., old fellow, your benefit to-night — 



MANAGERIAL COUP D ETAT. 



meant to attend — but this election — must go and see 
that — very sorry," and words of like import. All 
seemed to agree in one thing — there would be no- 
body at the theatre, and I had better postpone ; but 
I had no idea of giving it up so, as I had contracted 
with a boat which was to leave the next morning, to 
take the company to Mobile. " I'll have a full house 
yet," I said to myself, as I mounted the steps of the 
state house, where the members and spectators were 
already beginning to assemble in large numbers. I 
stationed myself in the lobby of the senate chamber, 
where I soon had an opportunity of speaking with 
Judge Perry, an influential me'mber of the senate, 
who had frequently professed himself my friend, and 
willing to serve me if in his power. 

"Judge," said I, hastily seizing him by one of his 
coat buttons, " you have it in your power to do me 
an essential service." 

" Glad of it," answered the Judge. "What can I 
do for you, friend Sol. ?" 

"My benefit takes place to-night," said I — 

"So it does," replied the Judge — "I recollect — 
Hypocrite — Mawworm — ha ! ha ! ha ! — wanted to be 
there ; but this confounded joint session — it will kill 
your house — can't you postpone?" 

" No — must start for Mobile to-morrow — passages 
engaged. Cant you postpone this joint session ?" 
demanded I, looking him boldly in the face. 

" Oh, no — no ; impossible. It is an understood 
thing — the election will certainly come off to-night — 
no getting over it," said Judge Perry, evidently sorry 
that he could not oblige me. 

6* 



70 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

"But, Judge," persisted I — "the senate has not 
yet concurred in the amendment of the house." 

" That's true," he replied — " but it will concur — 
mere matter of form — that will be the first business ; 
and we then proceed to the house, where the people 
are now assembled waiting for us." 

" Well, Judge — you have often expressed a wish to 
serve me — you now have it in your power." 

"How?" 

" Thus — vote against concurring in the amendment 
of the house" 

" My dear fellow — it will be of no use whatever — 
one vote against concurring cannot be of any service 
to you; the election will certainly go on." 

" Never mind that — if you wish to manifest your 
friendship, promise me that you will vote in the way 
I wish." 

" Well, well, I do — you have my promise for that," 
were the concluding words of the judge, as he left me 
to take his seat in the senate chamber, " but rely upon 
it the election will go on." 

Having thus secured the judge, I turned my atten- 
to another senator, w T ho, under the supposition that 
one vote would make no difference in the intended 
action of the senate, pledged me that he would vote 
against concurring with the house amendment. I 
then attacked another senator, with the same result ; 
and another, and so on, until I had the pledges of 
thirteen senators, each supposing he was the only one 
who had promised me to vote in the negative. / 
had thus secured a majority, when the President's 
hammer called the senate to order. 

" The first business before the senate, gentlemen," 



MANAGERIAL COUP D'ETAT. 71 

spoke the President, (Mr. Pickens, I think,) " is the 
amendment of the house to the resolution appointing 
a joint session for the election of bank directors ; the 
question is on concurring with the amendment — is the 
senate ready for the question ? As many as are in 
favor of the amendment appointing this evening for 
the joint session, "will signify, the same by saying 
Aye." 

A considerable number of "Ayes" responded — 
enough, as it was generally supposed, to carry the 
question in the affirmative. As a mere matter of 
form, however, the President continued — 

"As many as are of a different opinion, will sig- 
nify the same by saying No." 

To the astonishment of every person in the hall, a 
considerable number of " JS 7 oes" were heard. The. 
President thought there was some mistake, (so well 
was it understood that the election was to take place 
that night,) and required that those who voted in the 
affirmative should rise. Twelve senators stood up, 
who, after being carefully counted, were directed to 
resume their seats. The negative vote was then 
called in the same way, when thirteen members rose 
to their feet, looking around, on each other with 
evident surpise at finding so numerous a vote in the 
negative. 

The President, after counting the negative vote 
twice over, to make sure, announced that the amend- 
ment was lost. A motion to adjourn, made by my 
friend, Judge Perry, was now carried by acclamation, 
and in less than three minutes the house followed the 
senate's example, and streams of people were seen 



72 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

issuing from the state house, chatting to each other, 
and asking what in the world it all meant? 

My benefit was a most brilliant one, and a few 
" extra licks" I threw into the character of " Maw- 
worm,'' told immensely with the audience, particu- 
larly with the thirteen non-concurring senators. 



CHAPTER XII. 

MY FIRST SEASON IN MOBILE. 

Arrival in Mobile — Thadeus Sanford, the Editor — Finn — Out-Door 
Estimates of Theatrical Receipts — Purdy Brown — Montgomery 
— Contemplated Invasion of Georgia — Selma and Cahawba — 
Disappointment for Disappointment — Journey through the Creek 
Nation. 

Next day, Jan. 15, 1832, we embarked on board 
the " American," Capt. Hammond, which in three 
days carried us safely to Mobile, a city which I had 
long wished to visit professionally. 

The first person I met on landing was Thadeus 
Sanford — a gentleman whom I consider, after an 
acquaintance of more than twenty years — one of the 
very best men I ever knew, and a true friend. I am 
glad to find his political services have at last been 
appreciated — President Pierce having appointed him 
Collector of the Port of Mobile. 

A small theatre was fitted up oyer a billiard room 
in Royal street, and the first season of my theatrical 
management in Mobile commenced on the 25th of 
Jcnuary, 1832, with the comedy of the " Soldier's 
Daughter" and farce of the " Lying Valet." 

The company consisted of Messrs. L. Smith, Pal- 
mer, Pearson, H. A. Williams, Carter, Madden, 
Morton, Baily, Davidson, Trower, Donaldson and 
Sol. Smith ; Mesdames Sol. Smith, Carter, Sizer, 
Williams and Miss Carter. 

(73) 



74 



THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 



Henry J. Einn came and played an engagement 
of six nights, much to the delight of the Mobilians. 

Mr. Ned Raymond also performed a starring en- 
gagement, and made money. He made his first 
appearance on any stage in Rochester, N. Y., in 
1825, in the character (or characters) of the Actcja. 
of All Work. His ambition was then to become a 
low comedian — now he aspired to tragedy, and figured 
in Virginius and Brutus. A year or two afterwards, 
in a fit of mania potu, he committed suicide by throw- 
ing himself from one of the wharves in Boston. 
Raymond was not his real name ; that I withhold in 
consideration for the feelings of his surviving rela- 
tions, who reside in the city of New York. 

This was considered a most successful season, and 
it was moderately so. As it was my first in Mobile, 
and was the stepping stone to my future operations 
in that city, an accurate account of the business of 
the season may not be entirely without interest to 
the reader : 



First 


week, 


Receipts, (4 nights,) 


Second 


a 




1 (6 nights,) 


Third 


it 




< ct tt 


Fourth 


a 




' (5 nights,) 


Fifth 


a 




i it a 


Sixth 


a 




4 (6 nights,) 


Seventh 


a 




c a it 


Eighth 


tt 




< (2 nights,) 



Total receipts of the season,. . . . 

My expenses during the eight weeks, including 
$575 paid to stars, and without reckoning 
traveling expenses to and from Mobile, 
amounted to 

Leaving me a profit of 



$320.00 
660.00 
820.00 
543.00 
505.00 

1279.00 
764.00 
255.00 

$5,146.00 



5,121.00 



$25.00!!. 



MY FIRST SEASON IN MOBILE. 75 

If any citizen of Mobile had been asked to give an 
estimate of the profits of the theatre that season, ten 
thousand dollars would probably have been the very 
least sum thought of ! And so it is with nearly every 
out-door estimate of the business of theatres. For 
my own part, I must confess that the remembrance 
of my first professional visit to Mobile causes none 
but pleasing sensations. The audiences were easily 
pleased, and the actors exerted themselves to the 
utmost in their several roles, in gratitude for the 
leniency of the public. 

Towards the close of the season's operations, Mr. 
Purdy Brown, by his agent, Mr. James P. Baily, 
opened, in an unfinished state, and with a very 
meagre company, a new theatre in St. Emanuel 
street, and I withdrew my forces to Montgomery — 
deeming it better to leave the field to the invading 
army than to fight a battle in which both parties 
must inevitably be losers. 

A most disastrous season my friend Brown had of 
it, commencing as it did late in February, and closing 
in the spring with a heavy loss, notwithstanding the 
attempts to retrieve the fortunes of the day by bring- 
ing on the field a large force of cavalry. Poor 
Purdy ! I have some reminiscences in store respect- 
ing him, which I may or may not put on paper for 
the amusement of the reader. He is gone to another 
scene of action, where I trust he is free from the an- 
noyances of theatrical management, which, to say the 
truth, he was every way unfitted for, while, as a man- 
ager of a circus, no one was more capable. 

I have not preserved the records of our season at 
Montgomery; but it was quite successful, yielding a 



76 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

handsome profit. It was from this point I made my 
arrangements for the invasion of Georgia, which event 
was to take place in the month of May of this year. 

But before proceeding through the Creek nation to 
that old and patriotic state, we were induced to pay 
a short visit to Selma, where we were welcomed by 
the same generous support ($70 per night) which had 
been extended to my former company, the year be- 
fore. 

In an unlucky hour I listened to the urgent solici- 
tations of several of the most influential citizens of 
Cahawba, to give a week's performance at that 
ancient village, formerly the seat of government of 
the state; but the " lovers of the drama" were too 
few in number to remunerate us for our trouble, and 
after playing five nights to wretched business, the 
steamer " Herald" heaving in sight, I " pulled up 
stakes" in double quick time, and we embarked, bag 
and baggage, for Montgomery. 

"Hallo ! Smith !" cried one from the crowd, as the 
last bell rang for starting ! — " you are not going to 
leave us in this way V 

" Yes, I am," answered I from the hurricane deck. 
"Your town don't pay expenses — must go." 

"But," persisted my friend on the shore, "the 
people have all been holding back for the last night. 
They will be greatly disappointed." 

" Can't help it," I replied — " they have disap- 
pointed me five nights — and must become reconciled 
to my disappointing them once." And off we went. 

We made another short season in Montgomery, 
and then, our arrangements for traveling being com- 



MY FIRST SEASON IN MOBILE. 77 

pleted, we wended our way through the Creek na- 
tion. 

I could fill volumes with accounts of this and other 
journeys through this then uncultivated country ; 
but I spare the reader all details, and carry him 
straight through, barely stopping by the way to say 
that we " put up" the second night, on this particu- 
lar occasion, at the Black Warrior's, where the 
warrior's wife (the warrior himself being off on a 
hunt) gave us rather " lenten fare," but fed our 
horses well ; bad beds, well peopled with fleas and 
bed-bugs ; and made enormous charges for our ac- 
commodation. At Mr. Elliott's, twelve miles from 
Columbus, we fared much better, being served with 
an excellent supper of fish, which the landlord in- 
formed me he caught in great abundance — sometimes 
as many as 300 a night — in a trap ! 

Sunday morning, May 20th, 1832, we crossed the 
Chattahoochie river, leaving Alabama behind us. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE INDIAN WAR-DANCE. 

Georgia — Columbus Theatre Built in Four Days — Performance of 
" Pizarro" with real Indians — Unusual Ceremonies in the Tem- 
ple of The Sun. 

Georgia ! generous, hospitable Georgia ! How 
well do I remember my sensations, when first enter- 
ing upon your soil ! It was Sunday, and the streets 
of Columbus were filled with gaily dressed citizens 
and Creek Indians. The arrival of a theatrical com- 
pany created a decided sensation. 

"When do you open?" was the general question. 

"Next Thursday," was the response. 

" Where do you open?" was the next and most 
natural inquiry. 

"In the New Theatre," was 'the brief, but some- 
what puzzling reply. 

Having taken possession of apartments in the 
Columbus Hotel, then kept by Messrs. Pomeroy and 
Montague, I asked that a message should be sent to 
the most expeditious contractor in the city. A Mr. 
Bates soon appeared, and in twenty minutes he had 
my directions. On the next Saturday the following 
true paragraph appeared in one of the newspapers : 

"Expedition. — A theatre 70 feet long by 40 wide, was com- 
menced on Monday morning last, by our enterprising fellow-citizen, 
Mr. Bates, and finished on Thursday afternoon, in season for the 
reception of Mr. Sol. Smith's company on that evening. A great 
portion of the timber, on Monday morning, waved to the breeze in 

(78) 



THE INDIAN WAR-DANCE. 79 



its native forest; fourscore hours afterwards, its massive piles 
■were shaken by the thunder of applause in the crowded assemblage 
of men." 

Here began my acquaintance — may I not say 
friendship? — with Mirabeau B. Lamar, Esq., after- 
wards President of Texas. He was a candidate for 
Congress — not nominated on the ticket of either 
party, but " on his own hook" — merely for the 
" excitement" it afforded him. With the same object 
he traveled through Texas, fought at the battle of 
San Jacinto, eventually submitted his name to the 
people of that redeemed country, as a candidate for 
the highest office in their gift, and was elected. 

" Pizarro" was one of our most popular stock plays. 
My brother Lem's Holla was his best tragic character ; 
when dressed for the part he looked every inch an 
Indian chief. At Columbus we produced this tragedy 
with real Indians for the Peruvian army. The 
effect was very striking, but there were some unre- 
hearsed effects not set down in the bills. I had bar- 
gained with a chief for twenty-four Creek Indians, (to 
furnish their own bows, arrows and tomahawks,) at 
50 cents each, and a glass of whiskey. Unfortunately 
for the entire success of the performance the whiskey 
was paid, and drank, in advance, causing a great 
degree of exhilaration among our new supes. They 
were ranged at the back of the theatre building, in 
an open lot, during the performance of the first act ; 
and on the commencment of the second, they were 
marshaled into the back door, and posted upon the 
stage behind the scenes. The entrance of Rolla was 
the signal for a " shout" by the company, carpenters, 
and scene-shifters — the Indians, supposing their time 



80 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

had come, raised such a jell as I am sure had never 
before been heard inside of a theatre. This outburst 
being quelled, the scene between Alonzo, Cora and the 
Peruvian chief was permitted to proceed to its termi- 
nation uninterrupted ; but when the scene changed to 
the "Temple of the Sun," disclosing the troops of 
Holla, (his " brave associates, partners of his toil, his 
feelings and his fame,") drawn up on each side of the 
stage in battle array, the plaudits of the audience 
were answered by whoops and yells that might be, 
and no doubt were heard a mile off. Order being 
partially restored, Holla addressed his army, and was 
greeted with another series of shouts and yells, even 
louder than those which had preceded. Now came my 
turn to take part in the unique performance. As 
High Priest of the Sun, and followed by half a dozen 
virgins, and as many priests, with measured step, timed 
to slow music, I emerged from behind the scenes, and 
" with solemn march" perambulated the stage, in 
dumb show called down a blessing on the swords of 
King Ataliba and General Rolla, and in the usual 
impressive style, looking up into the front gallery, 
commenced the Invocation to the Sun. Before the 
time for the joining in of the chorus, 1 found I was not 
entirely alone in my singing. A humming sound, at 
first low and mournful, and rising gradually to 
"forte" greeted my ear; and when our chorus did 
join in the strain, it was quite overpowered by the 
rising storm of " fortissimo " sounds which were issu- 
ing from the stentorian lungs of the savages ; in short, 
the Indians were preparing for battle, by executing, 
in their most approved style, the Creek War-Song and 
Dance ! To attempt stopping them, we found would 



THE INDIAN WAR-DANCE. 81 

be a vain task ; so that after a moment or two of hesita- 
tion, the virgins made a precipitate retreat to their 
dressing rooms, where they carefully locked themselves 
in. The King, Rolla and Orano stood their ground, 
and were compelled to submit to the new order of 
things. The Indians kept up their song and war- 
dance for full half an hour, performing the most 
extraordinary feats ever exhibited on a stage, in their 
excitement scalping King Ataliba, (taking off his wig,) 
demolishing the altar, and burning up the Sun ! As 
for Lem and I, (Rolla and the High Priest,) we joined 
in with them, and danced until the perspiration fairly 
rolled from our bodies in large streams, the savages, 
all the time, flourishing their tomahawks and knives 
around our heads, and performing other little playful 
antics not by any means agreeable or desirable. At 
last, to put an end to a scene which was becoming 
more and more tiresome as it proceeded, an order was. 
given to drop the curtain. This stroke of policy did 
not stop the ceremonies, which proceeded without 
intermission until the savages had finished their song 
and dance, when, each receiving his promised half- 
dollar, they consented to leave the house, and our play 
proceeded without them. Next night the same troupe 
came to the theatre and wanted to " assist" in the 
performance of "Macbeth," but I most positively 
declined their " valuable aid." 



7* 



CHAPTER XIV. 

GETTING THROUGH A SUMMER. 

Macon, Milledgeville and Athens — Editor Pemberton — Madison — 
The fat Landlord — Magnesia and chalk— Monticello — A feline 
Auditor — Negro Prayer — A thin Tony Lumpkin. 

After a season of two weeks, we made a move for 
MA£i)N, where another temporary theatre was put up 
in a little less than a week's time. Here we per- 
formed to respectable and very discriminating audi- 
ences for about five weeks, after which we raised the 
dramatic flag at the capital of the state, Milledge- 
VILLE. A theatre was erected here as early as 1817, 
as I was told; but at the time we took possession of 
it, the famed Augean Stable must have been a car- 
peted parlor in comparison with it. Thirty barrels of 
lime were used in the cleansing of this temple of 
Thespis, and even then it always retained a rather 
unsavory odor. Our visit was hailed with delight by 
the noble-hearted Georgians, and for one week our 
audiences were large and fashionable. It being about 
"commencement" time at Athens, we posted off to 
that classic village, where another new theatre — built 
in three days — was prepared for pur reception. 

My brother Lem was not with us here. He had 
obtained leave of absence for a brief period, to visit 
Cincinnati, where he performed a starring engagement 
in a new theatre opened that season by our former 
manager, Mr. Caldwell. He also performed a brief 
engagement at Louisville. 
(82) 



GETTING THROUGH A SUMMER. 83 

At Athens our success was but meagre. The exer- 
cises of " commencement " engrossed the public at- 
tention, and we closed our doors after a season of one 
week. 

At this place I experienced the great pleasure of 
becoming acquainted with A. H. Pemberton, Esq., 
one of the ablest editors of the state, and author of 
the best Defence of the Drama which ever came under 
my notice. 

At a small town called Madison", we "hung out 
our banner" for a week, and performed in the ball 
room of a tavern kept by a Mr. Campbell, a large fat 
man — "fat as butter," — who fed and slept us well, 
and charged us accordingly. Total receipts for the 
week, $205 ! The barber who shaved me in this 
village, a very black negro, had a light mulatto wife. 
They had several children of the proper shade of 
color, and one, the youngest, almost white. Being 
asked the reason of the last child's being so much 
whiter than the others, the barber very innocently 
answered that it was all owing to his wife having fol- 
lowed the advice of a white lady during her pregnancy, 
and taken a great deal of magnesia and chalk to cure 
the dyspepsia. 

Our fat landlord was a very religious individual — 
a great hand at revivals and camp meetings ; and it 
was only by dint of hard persuasion the town's people 
could obtain his consent to receive into his hall the 
sinful actors. But it so turned out that Mr. Boniface, 
after taking a few peeps behind the scenes, became 
greatly taken with the plays ; so much so that one 
night he boldly walked into the front among the 
audience, and took a conspicuous seat, determined to 



84 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

"see it out." The people welcomed him with a round 
of applause which he did not take to himself, but turn- 
ing around, before seating himself, he said: "Oho! 
you talk of my making a noise at camp-meetings — I've 
got you now — you make a plaguy deal more noise 
here at the show than I ever did there." Another 
"round " greeted our fat landlord, and the curtain 
went up. 

Our next town was Monticello, where we per- 
formed in the dining-room of Mr. Stovall, and occu- 
pied one of his best parlors for a green room. Re- 
ceipts for the week, precisely the same as at Madison, 
after paying $25 tax, which the commissioners de- 
manded for the privilege of leaving about $100 dol- 
lars more in their town than we received. We had 
here one auditor, a constant attendant, who evidently 
appreciated our performances — a cat ! Every night 
she found her w T ay into the theatre, and seating her- 
self immediately in front of the footlights, watched 
and listened to the performances from beginning to 
end ! 

We returned to Milledgeville and performed two 
weeks, with poor success, closing 1st of September. 

Opened at Macon Monday, September 3d, and 
performed one week only ; after which we pushed on 
to Columbus, where we managed to stay three weeks, 
the policy being to pass the time away until the 
meeting of the legislature in Milledgeville. 

Being up and out on a walk early one morning — 
this was at Macon — I strolled to the Methodist 
church, where I heard singing. Stepping in and 
taking a seat, I found assembled six negro men, one 
mulatto girl, and two white men. A lazy looking 



GETTING THROUGH A SUMMER. 85 



young fellow, one of the white men, seemed to con- 
duct the aifair — asking his white brethren and black 
brethren to pray alternately. I stayed to hear one 
white and one black prayer — and it is difficult to say 
which was better of the two. The black man prayed 
in something like the following words : 

" ! most holy and significant Fader! thou spencer of ebery 
precious and deliberate gift, look down on your poor miserable 
children, and bless us with thy sacred and devoted power, if it be 
thy will. ! most holy Fader, we humbly pray for the instigation 
of thy wrath throughout dis deboted land — bless all who hab 
turned out to dis praar meetin' and dem dat habn't — if it be thy 
will. May thy mercy and vengeance smile upon our white bred- 
ren, who are prayin' and preachin' for us poor sinners, and in re- 
liance upon the precious blood of Jesus Christ — if it be thy will. 
! bless de poor heden, and larn dem to examine de doctrines of 
thy Word, which is a sharp two-pointed sword, goin' out of the 
mouth of dy servants — if it be thy will. May de gospel spread like 
de cholera thro' de earth, spreading vastation and castigation 
around — if it be thy will. We pray thee, holy Christ, the fader 
of the 'macculate Virgin Mary, to cleanse us ob our sins, and scrub 
us with the scrubbin' brush ob corruption, till we are the sanguine 
dye of thy holy truth, and tho' our sins be as wool, may dey be 
made white as scarlet with thy most precious lamb, which was 
killed on mount Sinai for our sallivation — if it be thy ivill. And ! 
most holy Jesus, send thy spirit upon us this morning, that we 
may sing thy praise and worship thee with meekness and com- 
punctuation ; and when we give up our immortal existence in this 
immaculate world, wilt thou receive us to thy bosom — if it be thy 
will — when we will gib all de glory and honor and power to our 
holy medidator and Saviour foreber and eber after — Amen." 

During our stay at Columbus, at the earnest solici- 
tations of a Mr. Childers, he was permitted to make 
his "first appearance on any stage," as Tony Lump- 
kin, which he performed tolerably well for a new be- 
ginner. His figure was better fitted for Don Quixotte 



THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 



than the character he chose for his opening, being 
very lean and bony ; but Tony Lumpkin he had 
studied, and Tony Lumpkin he played. After the 
performance he made a regular application for a situ- 
ation in the company. I declined entering into the 
proposed engagement, and wrote him a long letter, 
urging him not to persist in his determination to be- 
come an actor, and advising him to continue his stu- 
dies in the law. With great reluctance he followed 
my advice, became in time an eminent lawyer in Ala- 
bama, and died many years afterwards in Mobile, of 
which city he was once elected Mayor. 

Returned to Macon, and performed a very few 
nights to very small audiences ; but remained a couple 
of weeks, it being considered quite useless to open in 
Milledgeville so early in the season. Time hanging 
heavy on my hands, as the saying is, I entered into a 
little " speculation," just for amusement, which will be 
spoken of in the next chapter. 



CHAPTER XV. 

SPECULATION IN WHISKERS. 

Conversation in a Broker's Office — Investment of Fifty Dollars in a 
new article of Merchandize — A good profit realized. 

There lived in Macon, a dandified individual, whom 
we will call Jenks. This individual had a tolerably 
favorable opinion of his personal appearance. His 
fingers were hooped with rings, and his shirt bosom 
was decked with a magnificent breast pin ; coat, hat, 
vest and boots were made exactly to fit ; he wore kid 
gloves of remarkable whiteness ; his hair was oiled and 
dressed in the latest and best style ; and, to complete 
his killing appearance, he sported an enormous pair 
of Real Whiskers ! Of these whiskers, Jenks was 
as proud as a young cat is of her tail when she first 
discovers she has one. 

I was sitting one day in a broker's office, when 
Jenks came in to inquire the price of exchange on 
New York. He was invited to sit down, and a cigar 
was offered him. Conversation turning on the subject 
of buying and selling stocks, a remark was made by 
a gentleman present, that he thought no person should 
sell out stock in such-and-such a bank at that time, as 
it must get better in a few days. 

" I will sell anything I've got, if I can make any- 
thing on it," replied Jenks. 

" Oh, no," replied one, " not anything ; you wouldn't 
sell your Whiskers !" 

A loud laugh followed this chance remark. Jenks 

(87) 



88 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

immediately answered : " I would — but who would 
want them ? Any person making the purchase would 
lose money by the operation, I'm thinking." 

"Well," I observed, " I would be willing to take 
the speculation, if the price could be made reason- 
able." 

" Oh, I'll sell 'em cheap," answered Jenks, winking 
at the gentlemen present. 

"What do you call cheap?" I inquired. 

" I'll sell 'em for fifty dollars," Jenks answered, 
puffing forth a cloud of smoke across the counter, and 
repeating the wink. 

" Well that is cheap ; and you'll sell your whiskers 
for fifty dollars ?" 

" I will." 

"Both of them?" 

"Both of them." 

" Til take them ! When can I have them ?" 

"Any time you choose to call for them." 

" Very well — they're mine. I think I shall double 
my money on them, at least." 

I took a bill of sale as follows : 

"Received of Sol. Smith Fifty Dollars in full for my crop of 
whiskers, to be worn, and taken care of by me, and delivered to 
him when called for. J. JENKS." 

The sum of fifty dollars was paid, and Jenks left 
the broker's office in high glee, flourishing five Central 
Bank X's, and telling all his acquaintances of the 
great bargain he had made in the sale of his whiskers. 

The broker and his friends laughed at me for being 
taken in so nicely. " Never mind," said I, " let those 



SPECULATION IN WHISKERS. 89 

laugh that win ; I'll make a profit out of those 
whiskers, depend on it." 

For a week after this, whenever I met Jenks, he 
asked me when I intended to call for my whiskers ? 

" I'll let you know when I want them," was always 
my answer. " Take good care of them — oil them 
occasionally; I shall call for them one of these days." 

A splendid ball was to be given. I ascertained 
that Jenks was to be one of the managers — he being a 
great ladies' man, (on account of his whiskers I sup- 
pose,) and it occurred to me that before the ball took 
place, I might as well call for my whiskers. 

One morning I met Jenks in a barber's shop. He 
was adonizing before a large mirror, and combing up 
my whiskers at a devil of a rate. 

" Ah ! there you are, old fellow," said he, speaking 
to my reflection through the glass. " Come for your 
whiskers, I suppose ?" 

" Oh, no hurry," I replied, as I sat down for a 
shave. 

"Always ready, you know," he answered, giving a 
final tie to his cravat. 

" Come to think of it," I said, musingly, as the 
barber began to put the lather on my face, " Perhaps 
now would be as good a time as another ; you may sit 
down and let the barber try his hand at the whiskers." 

" You couldn't wait until to-morrow, could you ?" 
he asked, hesitatingly. " There's a hall to-night, you 
know " 

" To be sure there is, and I think you ought to go 
with a clean face ; at all events I don't see any reason 
why you should expect to wear my whiskers to that 
ball ; so sit down." 

8 






90 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

He rather sulkily obeyed, and in a few moments his 
cheeks were in a perfect foam of lather. The barber 
flourished his razor, and was about to commence opera- 
tions when I suddenly changed my mind. 

"Stop, Mr. Barber," I said; "you needn't shave 
off those whiskers just yet." So he quietly put up his 
razor, while Jenks started up from the chair in some- 
thing very much resembling a passion. 

"This is trifling!" he exclaimed. "You have 
claimed your whiskers — take them." 

" I believe a man has a right to do as he pleases 
with his own property," I remarked, and left Jenks 
washing his face. 

At dinner that day the conversation turned upon 
the whisker affair. It seems the whole town had got 
wind of it, and Jenks could not walk the streets with- 
out the remark being continually made by the boys — 
" There goes the man with old Sol.' 8 whiskers /" And 
they had grown to an immense size, for he dared not 
trim them. In short I became convinced Jenks was 
waiting very impatiently for me to assert my rights 
in the property. It happened that several of the 
party were sitting opposite me at dinner who were 
present when the singular bargain was made, and they 
all urged me to take the whiskers that very day, and 
thus compel Jenks to go to the ball whiskerless, or stay 
at home. I agreed with them it ivas about time to 
reap my crop, and promised that if they would all 
meet me at the broker's shop where the purchase had 
been made, I would make a call on Jenks that even- 
ing, after he had dressed for the ball. All promised 
to be present at the proposed shaving operation in the 
broker's office, and I sent for Jenks and the barber. 



SPECULATION IN WHISKERS. 91 

On the appearance of Jenks it was evident he was 
much vexed at the sudden call upon him, and his vexa- 
tion was certainly not lessened when he saw the 
broker's office was filled to overflowing by spectators 
anxious to behold the barbarous proceeding. 

" Come, be in a hurry," he said, as he took a seat, 
and leaned his head against the counter for support, 
" I can't stay here long : several ladies are waiting 
for me to escort them to the ball." 

" True, very true — you are one of the managers — ■ 
I recollect. Mr. Barber, don't detain the gentleman 
— go to work at once." 

The lathering was soon over, and with about three 
strokes of the razor, one side of his face was deprived 
of its ornament. 

" Come, come," said Jenks, " push ahead — there is 
no time to be lost — let the gentleman have his "whiskers 
— he is impatient." 

"Not at all," I replied coolly, "I'm in no sort of 
a hurry, myself — and now I think of it, as your time 
must be precious at this particular time, several ladies 
being in waiting for you to escort them to the ball, I 
believe I'll not take the other whisker to-night. 77 

A loud laugh from the by-standers, and a glance in 
the mirror, caused Jenks to open his eyes to the 
ludicrous appearance he cut with a single whisker, and 
he began to insist upon my taking the whole of my 
property I But all wouldn't do. I had a right to 
take it when I chose ; I was not obliged to take all at 
once ; and I chose to take but half at that particular 
period — indeed I intimated to him very plainly that I 
was not going to be a very hard creditor ; and that if 



92 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

he "behaved himself," perhaps I should never call for 
the balance of what he owed me ! 

When Jenks became convinced I was determined not 
to take the remaining whisker, he began, amidst the 
loudly expressed mirth of the crowd, to propose terms 
of compromise — first offering me ten dollars, then 
twenty, thirty, forty — fifty ! to take off the remaining 
whisker. I said firmly, " My dear sir, there is no use 
talking ; I insist on your wearing that whisker for me 
for a month or two." 

" What will you take for the whiskers ?" he at 
length asked. " Won't you sell them back to me ?" 

" Ah," replied I, "now you begin to talk as a busi- 
ness man should. Yes, I bought them on speculation 
— I'll sell them if I can obtain a good price." 

" What is your price ?" 

" One hundred dollars— -must double my money." 

" Nothing less ?" 

"Not a farthing less — and I'm not anxious to sell 
even at that price." 

"Well, I'll take them," he groaned, "there's your 
money, and here, barber, shave off this d — d infernal 
whisker in less than no time — I shall be late at the 
ball." 



CHAPTER XVI. 

A SEASON IN MILLEDGEVILLE. 

Mirabeau B. Lamar, Independent Candidate for Congress — The 
" Orphan of Geneva" — Theatrical Critique — Last appearance of 
Lena. Smith. 

Near the end of October we opened the Milledge- 
VILLE Theatre for the season, hoping great things 
from the fact that the legislature was soon to meet. 
My brother Lem. rejoined me here, and the season 
commenced auspiciously. 

During our journeyings the past summer, we were 
accompanied nearly the whole time by Mirabeau B. 
Lamar, Esq., who was a candidate for Congress, as I 
have said, and who received a very large vote, but 
was not elected, not being on either the Union or 
State Rights ticket. I have never in my life met a 
more gentlemanly man. He is a good speaker — 
rather too vehement in his manner, perhaps ; but 
being well read, and possessing a good face and per- 
son, he enchains the attention of his auditors. He 
was at that time rather dyspeptic, but seemed to en- 
joy life reasonably. He can appreciate a joke and a 
good dinner — has Shakspeare at his tongue's end, and 
can quote him correctly and at pleasure ; fences well, 
and is otherwise highly accomplished. Finally, he is 
a great lover of the stage. I dedicated my " Appren- 
ticeship" to him,* and on his marriage in 1851, 

* See his letter in reply at the end of this volume. 

8* (93) 



94 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

(nearly twenty years after the events I am noting,) 
he promised to name his first child after me — hut un- 
fortunately it turned out to be a girl, and the idea 
of naming her " Solomon" was given up at once. 

During this season we produced the play of 
"Therese," translated from the French by John 
Howard Payne, and I must say I have never to this 
day seen it played so well as by the " Georgia com- 
pany." My wife personated the part of Mariette, 
and my brother that of Carivin. It is not in my 
province to speak of the talents of my wife and bro- 
ther, (now no more,) but as they both occupied, while 
living, a prominent place in the dramatie company 
of which I was manager, and as many persons in 
Georgia may yet live who have seen them act, it may 
not be amiss to insert here a brief extract from a 
criticism published in one of the newspapers of the 
day, written (I am permitted to say now, though I did 
not know it at the time) by Gen. Lamar : 

" Mr. Lem. Smith has the advantage of a fine person, (he beats 
his brother in that,) a good eye and a flexible voice, not of the 
greatest compass, but sufficiently strong to be heard distinctly. 
He succeeds equally alike in comedy or tragedy, and extremely 
well in both ; conceiving his characters properly, and never over- 
stepping the modesty of nature. His powers we think are consid- 
erable, and his genius versatile. There is much refinement in his 
manners when in comedy, and much dignity and force in his ap- 
pearance in higher characters, such as Tell. We have seen him 
in a great variety of parts, and find it difficult to decide in which 
his success is greatest." 

* * ■%- $ 

" One we have yet to name — the star of her profession — it would 
be censurable not to hold up to the admiration of our readers, as 
she has often presented herself to her gratified audience. We 
mean Mrs. Smith. It is far from our intention to enter into any 
minute analysis of her acting — setting forth her peculiarities ; 



A SEASON IN MILLEDGEVILLE. 95 

lauding -what is good and apologizing for what is otherwise, but 
shall speak of her merit in the aggregate, reserving our more de- 
tailed and definite criticism for some future number. To say that 
she is a first-rate actress would be giving her nothing more than 
her due, but we should probably not be believed, because she had 
not been brought up at the Park or at Drury Lane. Stars we 
have seen of the first magnitude who have shone with unrivalled 
lustre upon both those boards, and can say that they have afforded 
us no greater pleasure than we have derived from the perform- 
ances of Mrs. Smith. If it be at all true that the merit cf an 
actress may be justly estimated by the effect which she produces, 
her claims will be found inferior to few. For we have never yet 
heard the first person declare himself disappointed or dis- 
satisfied — we have never seen one who did not admit that she 
always had a just conception of the part she played — that she 
entered deeply into the spirit and feelings of the character she 
represented, and that her look, gesture and attitude were always 
graceful, natural and appropriate ; and if these, added to other 
qualities which she possesses, a melodious voice and eloquent de- 
livery, do not constitute the perfection of the histrionic art, then 
we are at a loss to know what does. All these excellencies are 
universally conceded to her. In what character she succeeds best 
we could never decide for ourselves ; she seems to be qualified 
by her versatility equally for the grave and the gay — ' for farce, 
comedy and tragedy.' We saw her once, on a benefit night, in the 
' Soldier's Daughter,' and concluded she appeared best in that 
part ; but when she subsequently appeared in the ' Orphan of 
Geneva,' we thought no character became her as ' Therese,' and 
now our present decision is that her greatest efforts have been in 
'Elvira.'" 

While I am about it, it may be as "well to give the 
General's opinion of myself — particularly as I think 
it is a tolerably correct one in the main. Here it is, 
segregated from the same article the foregoing 
extracts are taken from : 

" Now then for < Old Sol.' But before entering upon the trial 
of this ' head and front' of the battalion, it may be proper to 
settle a preliminai-y question upon which his acquittal or condem- 



96 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

nation chiefly rests. The heart will sometimes laugh in defiance 
of the sober decrees of the head ; and when this is the case, which 
is in the right ? Who has not had his risibility irresistibly ex- 
cited by a joke, which his judgment could not sanction ? Shall the 
joke therefore be condemned? < That is the question.' We answer, 
no. Now this is exactly ' Old Sol.'s situation. His acting we cannot 
approve as beng always in good taste, yet he will extort the laugh 
from us in despite of our disapprobation. Shall we therefore con- 
demn him ? Yv T e answer, no. Our objection to him as an actor is, 
that he often lowers comedy to a farce, and brings farce to the 
borders of buffoonery. The approbation which we have to bestow, 
is that which we have just admitted ; his absolute dominion over 
our risible propensities. He never fails to accomplish the end and 
aim of all comic performance, that of exciting involuntary laugh- 
ter and applause. This however is not his only merit. He pos- 
sesses a lively fancy and a good fund of original wit, which enable 
him to introduce many seasonable jokes, acceptable to all, and 
offensive to none. This practice it is true, is liable to abuse, and 
stands reprobated by authority no less than Shakspeare, but with 
all due deference to the bard of Avon, we must still adhere to our 
infallible rule, to censure nothing and praise all that produces a 
happy effect; by virtue of which 'Old Sol.' is entitled to our high 
commendation and a full absolution for all faults, which we do 
hereby freely award him." 

On the 12th December, the tragedy of " Douglass" 
was performed, it being the last appearance of my 
brother, who personated the character of Gflen- 
alvon. 



This brings my narrative up nearly to the close of the 
year 1832 — a year rendered ever memorable to the writer 
by the untimely death of his beloved brother Lemuel ; 
that brother who had participated in so many of the 
scenes heretofore described, and who, in the very prime 
of his manhood, was called upon, without a moment's 
warning, to pay that great last debt to Nature, which all 
who yet live, — owe! 

It might naturally be expected that an event so deeply 
engraven upon the heart and memory of a sorrowing 
brother, should receive from him more than this passing 
notice ; but as that would necessarily tend, by painfully 
exciting the sympathies of his readers, to destroy the 
principal object he has in view in writing these pages, 
viz. : the amusement of those who are pleased to accom- 
pany him in his wanderings, he passes on to other, and, 
to his readers, doubtless more agreeable topics. 



(97) 



CHAPTER XVII. 

MANAGER BROWN. 

Profits of six months business — Purchase of Real Estate — To Ala- 
bama again — A year's profits — Close of season and disbandment 
of company — Palmer and Lyons undertake management — Man- 
ager Brown as an actor — Grand enti*ee in a comedy — New busi- 
ness for Capt. Procles — The infernal fiends below. 



The season in Milledgeville was brought to a close 
on the 23d of December — the legislature adjourning 
about the same time. The -actual profits of the six 
months preceding this date, are set down in a busi- 
ness memorandum I kept at the time, at $1500, 
which sum, considering the labor performed, the jour- 
neys made, and wear and tear of the constitution, 
cannot be considered over payment for the services 
of my wife and myself. 

Macon was again tried, on our way to Alabama, 
where we received for 24 nights' performances, in a 
cold theatre, $1580, being an average of about $6Q 
per night — and this was considered good business. 

Passing on towards Montgomery, our next stopping 

place was Columbus, where we acted two weeks, to 

an average nightly receipt of $56, closing on the 9th 

of February, 1833. 

1 I purchased in Columbus some real estate at a cost 

I of about $2000, which raised on my hands, and was 

I eventually sold for nearly 900 per cent, profit. 

On Saturday, 16th Feoruary, our standard was 
raised in Montgomery, Alabama, to a house of $140 
(98) 



MANAGER BROWN. 99 



The people appeared well pleased at our return. 
Business continued good here, and several " stars" 
(so called) shone forth during the season — Mrs. 
Knight and Mr. Forbes among the rest. My theatri- 
cal year ended on the 22d March. 

I subjoin a statement of the actual result of this 
year's "journey-work," in dollars and cents, as it ap- 
pears in my cash-book of that day : 

We must have travelled at least 5000 miles during 
the year. All traveling expenses were paid by the 



management. 



Total receipts — 46 weeks — $20,885. Average per 
week, $454 — per night, counting the actual number 
of nights played, to wit : 262 nights, $79,70. Profits 
of the year, about $4000. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lyons joined me at this time, and 
the season was prolonged a week, after which the 
theatre closed, with my benefit, which was very 
largely attended. 

At the conclusion of this season, I resolved to 
gratify a desire, long entertained, of visiting Cincin- 
nati, the home of my brothers and numerous other 
relations. The company being disbanded, Messrs. 
Palmer and Lyons, members of the late organization, 
proposed to rent the Georgia theatres, and I con- 
sented to give them the use of my wardrobe and pro- 
perties, with the understanding that if they were suc- 
cessful in their speculation, they should have the 
privilege of purchasing my interest in the circuit at a 
given price ; but if unsuccessful, they should return 
the properties in the ensuing fall. The result of this 
attempt of Messrs P. and L. will appear hereafter. 

Leaving the new managers to push their fortunes 



100 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

in the south, I made my way, with my family, towards 
Cincinnati, where we proposed to spend the summer ; 
not, however, until Mrs. S. and myself had performed 
a short starring engagement in Mobile, under the 
management of Mr. Purdy Brown. I could relate 
hundreds of anecdotes relative to manager Brown, 
but do not feel much disposed that way. A few lines 
must comprise all I have to say about him. 

Mr. Brown's knowledge of theatrical matters was 
extremety limited ; consequently, he was liable to be 
constantly imposed upon by the actors, who, as a 
class, are never backward in furthering a joke. Mr. 
B. appeared on the stage occasionally, and when he 
did it was generally his wish to enact some important 
character — some person of rank in the drama — it 
being very much against the grain to appear as a 
supernumerary. Reading plays not being much in 
his way, he was in the habit of asking the actors what 
characters they thought would best suit him, and he 
was generally advised to study such parts as Count 
Luneda in the "Broken Sword;" Timoleon in the 
"Grecian Daughter ;" Beverly's Uncle, in the " Game- 
ster," and others of that sort. When, after a dili- 
gent search, poor Brown informed his friend, the 
actor who had advised him, that no such character 
could he found in the play, he was gravely informed 
that he had been searching in the wrong edition ! 

Manager B. had an abiding faith in horses — indeed 
he had good reason for his faith — they never deceived 
him or played practical jokes upon him. Whenever 
he percieved that a play — be it tragedy, comedy or 
melo-drama — appeared to " drag ;" or to speak more 
intelligibly, to " hang fire ;" or, to make the expression 



ANAGER BROWN. 101 



still more easily understood by the general reader, " go 
off dull," — he ordered out his whole stud of horses 
and circus riders, and sent them on "to end the 
piece." Thus it is said, (I confess I did not see this,) 
that on the occasion of the performance of the " Sol- 
dier's Daughter," he sent on his circus troupe, dressed 
as Turks or Arabs, who performed a "grand entree" 
on the stage, driving the Widow Cheerly, Governor 
Heartall and company down to the footlights, where 
they were obliged to stand for a mortal half hour and 
witness the cavalry evolutions, the whole winding up 
with a grand tableau, illuminated by red fire ! 

Mr. B., on one occasion, was compelled to assist 
in the performance of " Damon and Pythias — the 
company being short in numbers — and finding the 
character which he chose (Dyonisius — King Dyoni- 
sius,) too long for his study, which was none of the 
best, he was prevailed on to take that of JProcles, 
which he was told was a sort of Captain in the Syra- 
cusan service. He proposed to act the part on horse- 
bach ; but TV ebb, who was the Damon, dissuaded him 
from this, and the worthy manager consented to do it 
on foot. Some wag, to whom he applied for advice 
as to the manner of acting the part, told him that 
Procles was a fierce and spirited warrior, and when 
he was spoken to by Damon in the streets of Syra- 
cuse, and branded as a traitor, he should seize the 
Senator by the throat. At the proper time, placing 
himself at the head of the supernumerary soldiers, 
" high heaped with arms and plunder," he rushed 
upon the stage, with his shouting soldiers. When 
Webb, as Damon, came to these words : 

9 



102 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

" And thou, 
Who standest foremost of these knaves, 
Stand back and answer me — what have ye done?" 

Captain Drocles looked daggers at him, but re- 
strained himself so far as to wait for his " cue," which 
receiving at length in these words : 

" Thou most contemptible and meanest tool 
That ever tyrant used," 

he rushed upon Damon like a tiger, seizing him by 
the throat, and holding his neck between his hands as 
in a vice. Webb struggled and swore — in vain ! 
" Let me loose ! you are strangling me !" exclaimed 
the infuriated Damon, in a hoarse whisper, " Of 
course I am," answered Procles — "it is the business 
of the part !" And it was not until Pythias interfered 
in his behalf, that he could be persuaded to loosen his 
hold. 

On the last night of our engagement I enacted 
Scaramouch, in the pantomime of " Don Juan." In 
the last scene, the amorous Don is seized by demons 
and cast into the infernal regions, as the bills have it, 
through, a trap door. At rehearsal, I told the man- 
ager that about twelve demons would be required at 
the wings to seize Don Juan, and cast him down the 
trap. "And" (I added in a joke,) "you must be 
ready under the stage, at the head of a troupe of 
devils with pitchforks, to torment him until his nu- 
merous sins are burnt and purged away, as Shalc- 
speare says." As I was leaving the theatre, the 
manager followed me to the back door, and asked me 
to repeat some direction I had given relative to the 



MANAGER BROWN. 103 



banquet in the pantomine. He afterwards said some- 
thing which induced me to think he wished to carry 
on the joke about the demons I had spoken of, to be 
stationed under the stage. 

" How many demons did you say, Mr. Smith ?" he 
asked. 

" A dozen will do," I replied, laughing. 

" Yes, a dozen on the stage, I know, but how many 
of those tormenting fellows underneath?" 

"Oh," I answered, " as many as you like; the 
more the better ; and be sure you have plenty of red 
fire." 

"Never fear that," he replied as he turned to go 
away. -* 

Scaramouch is not a very easy character to perform, 
particularly when attempted by one like myself, un- 
used to gymnastic feats ; so that when I had gone 
through the dancing, the shipwreck, the riding on a 
dolphin, the eating of maccaroni, the frights at seeing 
the ghost on horseback, and other little incidental 
exercises, and had bid good-bye to my master, the Don, 
in the graveyard, it may be supposed that I lost no 
time, " distilled with fear" and perspiration, as I was, 
in hastening to my dressing-room, with the view of 
disrobing as quickly as circumstances would permit. 
I had in part accomplished this, and was busily en- 
gaged in rubbing the upper part of my perspiring 
body with a coarse towel, when the call boy knocked 
violently at the door, and begged me to step down to 
the stage, as the manager wished to see me particu- 
larly. Throwing a cloak about me, I hastened to the 
late scene of action, nearly suffocated with the smoke 
from the red fire, which was ascending in thick volumes, 



104 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

and found on looking down the trap that my friend 
Brown was there with thirty or forty fiends, all 
dressed in red flannel, and armed with pitchforks, 
waiting for the descent of Don Juan I It seems that 
in the concluding scene of the pantomine, the per- 
former who enacted the part of Don Juan, (Mr. 
Heyl,) finding a thick column of " sulphurous and tor- 
menting flames," ascending through the trap door, 
would not consent to be " plunged in," as required by 
the stage direction ; but on the contrary had burst 
from the supernumerary fiends and escaped to his 
dressing room. The curtain was lowered, and the 
piece was considered ended, by all but the worthy 
manager, who was in the regions below, with his army 
of fiends, waiting for his victim. It was some time 
before he could be persuaded to abandon his post, and 
not until he had declared his determination to dis- 
charge the contumacious actor who had refused to 
take the "fatal plunge." 

Mr. Edwin Forrest passed through Mobile while we 
were there, on his way to New Orleans. Ten years 
had elapsed since we had parted in Lexington, Ky., 
he to join Mr. Caldwell at the south — I to commence 
my managerial career in Cincinnati. 

We were succeeded by Mr. James Wallack — the 
Wallack — the very best Iago I ever saw — I cannot 
pay him a higher compliment. I witnessed his per- 
formance of Holla and Dick Dashall, considered by 
the public as his best characters. Ah ! what an actor 
he was — and is ! To see his personation of Don Csesar 
de Bazan is worth a pilgrimage to New York. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE CHOLERA IN 1833. 

New Orleans — The Gladiator — Cinderella — Journey up the Missis- 
sippi — Cholera and the game of brag — The little Frenchman — A 
Negro lost and won at Faro. 

On board the steamer " Ohio," Capt. Haggerty, I 
embarked with my family at Mobile, on the 11th of 
May, 1833, bound for Cincinnati, by way of the Gulf 
of Mexico and Mississippi river. Arrived at New 
Orleans the next day without accident. 

We remained in New Orleans two days and nights, 
and had the opportunity, which we improved of 
course, of witnessing the performance of the " Gladi- 
ator," (for Forrest's benefit) and " Cinderella," on the 
first appearance of Madame Brichta. Mr. J. M. 
Field, a young actor of considerable promise, enacted 
Phasarius, the secondary part in the " Gladiator," and 
the next night appeared as the Prince in " Cinderella." 

The production of " Cinderella" at New Orleans 
formed an era in theatrical annals. Though a hodge- 
podge, (made up of Rossini's original work of the 
same name, and other productions of that composer, 
" William Tell" being largely drawn upon,) it was the 
first attempt at the Grand Opera in the English 
language at the south. All previous attempts had 
been confined to what is termed the comic opera — ■ 
the " Barber of Seville," (an English adaptation,) 
" Marriage of Figarro," " Love in a Village," 
" Devil's Bridge," &c. The cast of " Cinderella," as 
9* (105) 



106 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

originally produced in New Orleans this season, was 
as follows : 



Prince, 


- 


- 


- Mr. Field. 


Dandini, 


- 


- 


- Mr. Caldwell. 


Baron Pompolino, 


- ~ 


Mr. Thorne. 


Alidoro, 


- 


- 


Mr. Iforgethisname 


Pedro, - 


- 


- 


Mr. Russell. 


Cinderella, 


- 


- 


Miss Jane Placide. 


Cloriuda, 


- 


- 


Mrs. Russell. 


Thisbe, 


- 


- 


Mrs. Rowe. 


Fairy Queen, 


- 


- 


Miss Nelson. 



Thus cast, and with the advantage of beautiful 
scenery and appoinments, its success was very great. 

This year Mr. Caldwell sold out his managerial 
interests to Messrs. Russell and Rowe, and turned his 
attention exclusively to his gas speculation. 

While in New Orleans I found out my quondam 
friend N. M. Ludlow, who was keeping a clothing 
store, and doing tolerably well. This was a new 
"line of business" to him, and he soon dropped it. 

On the 16th, we re-embarked on the " Ohio," and 
off we steered for Cincinnati. It is not my purpose 
to attempt a description of the scenes witnessed on 
this boat — the Cholera raging ! Nevertheless I will 
briefly notice a few incidents. After supper, the 
second day out, I counted eight card tables, sur- 
rounded by persons playing the game of "brag!" 
At the same time persons were scattered around the 
floor, and in the state-rooms, groaning, complaining, 
beseeching for assistance — dying with the cholera ! 
In one instance I saw a man fall from his chair in a fit, 
clenching his cards in his hands, and die in a few 
minutes ! Another fell back on the floor from the 



CHOLERA IN 1833. 107 

card table, was taken up senseless, and carried to his 
state-room, where he lingered until the next day, and 
then died, having in the interim made his will, dispos- 
ing of a very large property in Virginia. This last 
one I became slightly acquainted with",' and ren- 
dered him all the assistance I could. Just before he 
died we put him into a warm bath, which seemed to 
relieve him very much. When we laid him on his 
mattrass, he looked up in my face and asked — 

" What is your real opinion, Mr. Smith ? Will I 
get over this ?" 

I answered, "upon my word, I think you will — 
you are evidently much better." This was my most 
candid opinion. 

"I am glad — I am glad to hear you say so," he 
responded faintly, looking up into my face with a 
smile ; and with that smile on his face he almost in- 
stantly ceased breathing ! 

In nearly every voyage I make — especially if there 
be sickness among the passengers — I get the name of 
Doctor, probably from the fact that I am always willing 
to lend a hand to assist the sick. It was so in this 
case. Capt. Haggerty, the clerk, and myself, seemed 
to be the only persons on board who knew anything 
about the medicine chest, and the quantities proper 
for a dose of the various articles therein contained. 
A little Frenchman, as healthy a man as there was 
on board of the boat, took it into his head that he was 
attacked by cholera, and sent for me to attend to his 
case. 

" Oh, Docteur — Monsieur Docteur !" he exclaimed, 
" I am vaire sick — much malade ! My stomach vaire 



108 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 



much ache ! Do sometings for ine, Docteur, do some- 
tings very much quick, for I sal die — oh !" 

I found his pulse regular, and became convinced he 
was in excellent health. I told him so, and for a time 
he appeared reassured ; but presently he sent for me 
again, and begged me in the most piteous tones to do 
" sometings " for him. Satisfied that nothing ailed 
the man but fright, I went to the medicine chest and 
made him up a pill of gum arabic, which I requested 
him to swallow, assuring him that he would soon be 
better. For about two hours this seemed to quiet my 
little Frenchman, and I was at liberty to attend to 
other cases. When next called to Monsieur, he said 
he felt a little better, but " weak from the operation 
of de medicin." 

" The pill has operated, then ?" I remarked. 

" Oui, oui — operate very much — make me sleep — ■ 
ah ha! Un opiate, ha?" 

I let him think it was an opiate, and telling him to 
keep quiet during the night, left him. The following 
morning my patient seemed much better, and partook 
of a hearty breakfast and a large portion of a bottle 
of claret. Card playing continued during the day, 
and Monsieur took a hand, losing considerable money. 
He retired early, and I was in hopes he had entirely 
recovered from his fright, and that I should not be 
called on to attend him any more; but I was mis- 
taken. He was not at supper, and hearing a groan- 
ing in his state-room as I passed, I opened the door 
and looked in. There lay my little Frenchman, 
writhing with pain, and evidently experiencing the 
effects of the "premonitory symptoms," pretty 
strongly. 



THE CHOLERA IN 1833. 109 

" Ah, Monsieur Docteur," he said, as he saw me 
coming in — " I am vaire glad you come — I have got 
him noiv certianement — you must give me some leetle 
peel encore — I sal die if you don't give me sometinga 
vaire quick !" 

Poor fellow ! he had the dreaded disease beyond a 
doubt — the symptoms were unmistakable. Feeling 
his pulse, and saying a few encouraging words, I left 
him to make up a dose a little more efficient than 
gum arable — for I was convinced he had frightened 
himself into the cholera. While preparing the medi- 
cine, a crash was heard that seemed to shake the boat 
to its very centre ! At first all supposed an explosion 
had taken place. Confusion reigned for a few min- 
utes, the passengers rushing hither and thither in "wild 
disorder." My first care, of course, was for my wife 
and children — the latter being at the time eating their 
supper at the second table. The crash was caused by 
the breaking of the fly zvJieel, the fragments of which 
were thrown with great force through the cabin floor 
and hurricane roof, scattering the dishes on the sup- 
per table, as well as pieces of the table itself in every 
direction. It providentially happened that no one 
was hurt. My boys I found seated on the brink of 
the chasm where the table had been. The oldest boy, 
then five years of age, was holding an empty saucer 
in his hand ; and when he saw me he exclaimed — 
"Pa, look here — they've spilt all my coffee !" 

But to return to my patient, I found him busily en- 
gaged dressing himself. 

"By gar, Monsieur Docteur," said he — "I sal not 
stay on dis boat any longer ; such dam crashing I 
never sal hear again no more nevaire ; did you hear 



110 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

him ? It was like heaven and earth shall be coming 
togedder !" 

" It was a tremendous crash," I replied. " The 
fly weeel is broken — cannot be mended short of Pitts- 
burgh — the passengers are most of them preparing to 
leave." 

"Leave ! leave ! I believe you, Monsieur Docteur," 
he said, as he proceeded with his toilet ; " I sal no 
stay one moment, by gar ; I sal be off in de first boat, 
ha ! I sal not stay in dis d — n cholera boat any more 
at all." 

A boat bound up the river was by this time along- 
side, and nearly all were making their arrangements 
to go on her. 

" How do you feel now, monsieur ?" I at length in- 
quired, when he had finished dressing. " Here is the 
medicine I have prepared for you, will you take it V 

" Take le medicin ?" he answered — " no, by gar, 
I want no medicin — I am well — tres Men — never sal 
be better in my life." 

" What, not got the cholera ?" I enquired. 

"No, by damn — dat confounded crash knock de 
cholera out of me, tout de suite /" 

And so it had, fright had brought it on, and fright 
had sent it off. I met him afterwards in Cincinnati. 
He shook me warmly by the hand, and thanked me 
for my doctorly care ; but declared that if it had not 
been for that "grand crash," he should have been a 
dead man to a certainty — and I firmly believe he was 
right in his opinion. 

It was during this trip, and before the "crash" 
that I witnessed a game of faro, in which a negro 
man named Fred was staked and played for. A 



THE CHOLERA IN 1833. Ill 

negro trader, having lost all his ready money, offered 
to stake his servant on the game. The dealer agreed 
to this, and Fred was ordered by his master to mount 
the table and stand upon the ace. During the game 
he was "split" twice — got "out of split," — being 
ordered to move about on the various cards to suit his 
master's views — and at last was lost on the corner of 
the deuce ! The dealer very quietly told Fred to 
step down on his side of the table, and the negro was 
thus transferred to a new owner ! 

It was soon ascertained that the damages sustained 
by the boat could not be repaired without going to 
Pittsburgh, and during the night all the cabin passen- 
gers except a Mrs. Miller, her sister, and our family, 
took their departure on various boats. Next morning 
Capt. Haggerty announced to his few remaining pas- 
sengers that in a day or two he thought the boat 
could proceed with one wheel. We concluded to 
abide by the fortunes of the vessel ; and I believe it 
was well for us that we did, for the cholera entirely 
disappeared with the crowd of passengers, and all on 
board enjoyed good health the remainder of the jour- 
ney, arriving at Louisville on the 30th of May. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

THE FLOATING THEATRE. 
Cincinnati — The Chapman Family — Fishing for " Cat 1" — Cholera. 

Arrived at Cincinnati on the first day of June, 
just three weeks out from Mobile, and met a most 
cordial reception from our numerous (almost innume- 
rable) relatives and friends. 

The great pleasure derived from meeting with my 
relations and friends at Cincinnati, on this occasion, 
and alivays, may be mentioned ; but it is not a subject 
to interest the general reader — so I pass on, in my 
skimming way, to theatrical matters. 

The Columbia Street Theatre was open under the 
management of Messrs. Cabell, Forrest and Muzzy. 
A Mr. Judah was playing as a " star." Went to see 
him enact Richard III. Have seen better Richards 
— and worse. Witnessed Fletcher's representation 
of Ancient Statuary. Very good. Mr. Fletcher at 
this time (1853) keeps the "Portland House," at 
Shrewsbury, New Jersey, where, with a portion of 
my family, I sojourned last summer for a time. Also 
witnessed the extraordinary acting of Monsieur (!) 
GouiFe, the "Man Monkey," for the first time. 

One of the most comic pieces of acting ever wit- 
nessed by me was Mr. Wm. S. Forrest's personation 
of Alonzo, in the "Eevenge," at this theatre. 

The "Chapman Family," consisting of old Mr. 
Chapman, William Chapman, George Chapman, Caro- 
(112) 



THE FLOATING THEATRE. 113 

line Chapman, and Harry and Therese Chapman, 
(children) came to the west this summer, opened a 
theatre at Louisville, and afterwards established and 
carried into operation that singular affair, the " Float- 
ing Theatre," concerning which so many anecdotes 
are told. The "family" were all extremely fond of 
fishing, and during the " waits " the actors amused 
themselves by " dropping a line " over the stern of 
the Ark. On one occasion, while playing the " Stran- 
ger," (Act IV., Scene 1,) there was a long stage wait 
for Francis, the servant of the misanthropic Count 
Walbourgh. 

"Francis ! Francis !" called the Stranger. 

No reply. 

" Francis ! Francis !" (A pause) "Francis !" rather 
angrily called the Stranger again. 

A very distant voice — " Coming, sir !" (A conside- 
rable pause, during which the stranger walks up and 
down, a la Macready, in a great rage.) 

" Francis !" 

Francis, (entering) — Here I am, sir. 

Stranger. — Why did you not come when I called ? 

Francis. — Why, sir, I was just hauling in one of 
the d — dest big cat fish you ever saw ! 

It was some minutes before the laughter of the 
audience could be restrained sufficiently to allow the 
play to proceed. 

It is said of this Floating Theatre that it was cast 
loose during a performance at one of the river towns 
in Indiana, by some mischievous boys, and could not 
be landed for half a dozen miles, the large audience 
being compelled to walk back to their village. 

The season at the theatre in Third street, under 
10 



*) 



114 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

the management of Messrs. Russell and Howe, suc- 
cessors of Mr. Caldwell, commenced on the 15th 
June. The company consisted of Messrs. Scott, 
Field, Russell, Judah, Page, Hernizen, Charnock, 
Lyne, Powell, Gilbert, Thorne ; Mrs. Rowe, Mrs. 
Russell, Mrs. Ludlow, Mrs. Salzman, Miss Petrie. 

Mr. Edwin Forrest commenced an engagement on 
the 17th June. 

The Ravel family appeared during this season, and 
the opera of "Cinderella" was produced — Mrs. 
Knight playing the part of Cinderella. Mr. Page 
performed Dandini ; and the cast was otherwise as in 
New Orleans. 

Cholera broke out in Cincinnati, and raged vio- 
lently. It did not pass over our humble home without 
taking its victims. When we recommenced our wander- 
ings, two only daughters were missing from the family 
group ; two boys remained, (Lemuel and Marcus,) and 
they are living at this day — each a happy husband 
and father ; and there are five more boys, fast grow- 
ing up into manhood, who look to me for protection 
and fatherly care. 

Of Messrs. Russell and Rowe's company Mr. Char- 
nock and Mr. Page fell victims to the epidemic. Mr. 
Page died singing the music of the opera in which he 
last appeared ! 



CHAPTER XX. 

COMMENCEMENT OP A LONG JOURNEY. 

Organization of a Strolling Company — Traveling through Ken- 
tucky — "All the World's a Stage" — Funds getting low — A 
timely loan. 

Receiving no remittance or intelligence from 
Messrs. Palmer and Lyons, my successors in Georgia, 
about the 1st of August I deemed it prudent to com- 
mence preparations for resuming my managerial 
sway in the southern regions. The cholera continu- 
ing its ravages, there was no difficulty in enlisting a 
few recruits, for the winter season in Georgia and 
Alabama, with the understanding that for their 
services, while traveling, and until the commence- 
ment of the fall season in Georgia, their traveling and 
other expenses should be paid by me. I purchased 
two wagons and teams, a set of scenery, and a small 
lot of wardrobe ; engaged a small party, consisting 
of Mr. and Mrs. Delmon, (late Miss Charlotte 
Crampton,) Mr. Coney, Mr. Lyne, Mr. Gamble, and 
one or two others; and on the 12th of August, 1833, 
leaving the cholera behind us, as we hoped, we started ^ 
for Georgia, through Kentucky, via the Cumberland / 
Gap. 

Our first stopping place (for business) was Paris. 
It was plainly to be perceived that although no 
cholera actually existed there, the fear of it kept 
people from assembling together in large numbers. 
Our receipts were next to nothing ; and I soon found 

(115) 



116 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

that paying the boarding and traveling expenses of 
the company was a bad speculation ; and, worst of 
all, I had provided myself with only three hundred 
dollars for the journey, supposing that we should 
certainly be able to "play our way" triumphantly 
into Georgia. 

Our next town was Richmond, which was reached 
by traveling through a most romantic country, cross- 
ing the Kentucky river at a point where it was ne- 
cessary to unload our wagons and " tote" the trunks 
up a hill at least half a mile, the horses being barely 
able to haul the empty vehicles. 

At Richmond the receipts were rather better than 
at Paris, but nevertheless very small ; and the 
authorities of the place charged rather a heavy tax 
on our performances, which did not set us forward 
any. Here began dissensions between Mr. Delmon* 
and his wife, which ended in the departure of the 
former for Cincinnati. 

With my fund considerably diminished, we took 
our departure from Richmond on Sunday, the 1st of 
September, and on Tuesday passed through the town 
of London, (containing five houses and a half,) arriv- 
ing at Barboursville, at the foot of the Cumberland 
mountains, on Wednesday. Here we were persuaded 
to give a concert, and the Barboursvillians turned out 
to the number of twenty-two, at 25 cents each, (all 
they would pay for any "show," they said,) giving 
us a sum total of $5 50 — about half the amount of 
our tavern bill. 



* The real name of this young man was Delmon Grace; but he 
dropped the Grace when he adopted the stage as a profession. 



COMMENCEMENT OF A LONG JOURNEY. 117 

After paying toll next day at a gate on our way 
through the mountains, my "ready money" had be- 
come reduced to the inconsiderable sum of eight dol- 
lars and fifty cents ' Rather a discouraging situa- 
tion we were in, the reader will probably think — and 
we were. 

On the 6th we passed over and through what is 
called the " Cumberland Gap," and arrived at 
Tazewell. The encouragement here for a concert 
was very small indeed — and a theatrical performance 
was out of the question, there being no room large 
enough. Our announcement of an entertainment, 
consisting of songs, recitations, &c, brought forth a 
demand by some public functionary of fifty dollars 
for license ! After considerable search, I found an 
old statute which exempted theatres and concerts 
from the operation of this license law, and we were 
permitted to proceed with our concert wwlicensed. 

Our performance was given in thejlining room of 
the hotel where we stopped. The auditory, about 
twenty in number, were seated on chairs in the room, 
while we, the performers, sung and spoke on a sort 
of landing-place or gallery, about six feet long, and 
two and a half feet wide. From this landing-place, 
which was four feet higher than the floor of the 
room, three doors opened, one communicating with our 
retiring room, one to a sitting room, and the other to 
the stairway which led to the rooms above ; besides 
there were steps leading down from each end of the 
platform into the dining room. Persons were pass- 
ing from one room to the other continually, and the 
performer was obliged to move whenever any one 
passed. 

10* 



118 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

Mr. Lyne, our heavy tragedian, (afterwards a cele- 
brated Mormon preacher,) undertook, as his share of 
the entertainment, to give Shakspeare's " Seven 
Ages," from the comedy of " As You Like It." I 
here attempt to give a portion of the recitation, as 
spoken on this occasion, with the "side speeches" or 
interpolations of the reciter, caused by the frequent 
interruptions he was subjected to : 

All the world's a stage, 

[Sir, (to the landlord, a fat man, who entered at 
the moment, shoving the actor against the wall,) Til 
thanh you not to crowd me so — our stage is very 
small.'] 

And all the men and women merely players. 
[Don't — don't crowd me off!] 

They have their exits and their entrances, 

[Indeed, sir, if you keep going in and out in this 
way, I cannot go on with my speech."] 

And one man in his time plays many parts, 

[Now, sir, if you'll shut that door, Til be obliged 
to you. " Certainly, sir, go on."] 

His acts being seven ages. 

[Thanh you, sir. Now, pray, sit down.] 

At first the infant, 
Muling and puking in its nurse's arms ; 

[If you cant stop that child's crying, madam, I 
respectfully recommend that you retire with it into 
another room, and furnish it with some refreshment 
suited to its tender years.] 

And then the whining school boy, with satchel on arm, 

[You needn't snuff these candles just now, boy.] 

And shining morning face, creeping like a snail, 



COMMENCEMENT OF A LONG JOURNEY. 119 

[I shall never get through if you keep jambing me 
in this way.] 

Unwillingly to school. 

[ Waiter, bring me a julep.'] 

And then the lover, 
Sighing like furnace, with a woful ballad, 

[I think the singing takes better than recitations.'] 

Made to his mistress' eyebrows. 
[It's devilish hot.] 

Then the soldier, 
Full of strange oaths, 

[I shall swear, presently, if that child is not taken 
out,] 

And bearded like the pard, 

Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, — 

[Set down the julep — Til pay you when the per- 
formance is over.] 

Seeking the bubble reputation, even in the cannon's mouth. 

[Sucks julep through a straw — pronounces it very 
good.] 

And then the Justice, &c, &c. &c. 

Next morning, after settling our tavern bill, I bad 
not enough money left to pay for our breakfast, 
-which was to be partaken of about ten miles ahead. 
Our avant courier, nevertheless, was directed to order 
the usual morning meal, and on went the vehicle, con- 
taining the majority of the party, while I remained 
behind a little, in order to "raise the wind," if pos- 
sible, to pay for the expected repast. As my wagon 
was brought to the door, I asked the landlord if there 
was such a personage in the town as a pawnbroker ? 
He did not understand me. "A money lender," I 
explained — "one who lends money on pledges." 



120 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

" Well, yes — I reckon there is ; our postmaster, 
Mr. , sometimes lends money in that way." 

I soon found Mr. Postmaster, and opened the ne- 
gociation. Offering him a gold chain which cost $40, 
I asked a loan of $20 on it for one month. He looked 
at the chain, weighed it in his hand — and declined. 

After considerable haggling, the worthy postmaster 
offered, out of pure friendship, (as he said,) to let me 
have $15, if I would return him $20 in a month, and 
leave my gold watch, worth $200, as security. I de- 
clined this time, and we parted. 

Desperately I whipped up the horses, urging them 
on towards our breakfast place, my appetite entirely 
gone; but fully believing that I should come across 
some one who would furnish me with the required loan. 
I felt very certain of this, and told my wife so ; and 
sure enough — just before reaching the dreaded 
haven, we overtook a Mr. Burns, with a drove of 
horses, a person we had frequetly passed, and been 
passed by, during the journey. " That's my man," 
said I, as we neared him. 

" Good morning, Mr. Burns." 

" Good morning, Mr. Smith." 

" Where do you breakfast this morning ?" 

" At this place just ahead." 

" So do I. Can I speak to you one moment ?" 

" Certainly." And in less than three minutes my 
immediate wants were supplied by the transfer of a 
twenty dollar bill from his pocket book to mine. It 
turned out that although our personal acquaintance 
was slight, merely from casual meetings as we pro- 
gressed in our journey, he knew me very well, and 
was perfectly satisfied with my responsibility. Indeed 



COMMENCEMENT OF A LONG JOURNEY. 121 

he wished me to take a hundred or two ; but I posi- 
tively declined, feeling great confidence that at the 
Warm Springs, which we were now n earing, we 
should retrieve our fortunes, and be in funds again. 
My appetite returning, we all made a hearty break- 
fast, and pursued our journey with renewed vigor and 
spirits. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

ALMOST A DUEL. 

Benn's Station — A Concert in the Dark — The Warm Springs — Stage 
Coach Adventures — Preacher Smith — The belligerent Southerner 
— A challenge — Weapons objected to — The Preacher yields, and 
there is no duel — Reflections, twenty years after. 

Crossing Clinch Mountain, from which there is the 
most magnificent view I ever looked upon, and par- 
taking of some water from a strongly impregnated 
chalybeate spring at its base, we reached Bean's 
Station, in East Tennessee, on the evening of the 
7th of September, and "put up" for the night. It 
soon became noised about that we were " show folk," 
and a very strong request was made by the citizens 
of the little settlement that we should give a perfor- 
mance in the parlor of the hotel or tavern. We 
acceded to the request after considerable persuasion, 
and quite a number of persons, male and female, col- 
lected about the house just before dark. 

Remembering the difficulty I had experienced on a 
similar occasion many years previously, as related in 
my "Apprenticeship," when we were obliged to use 
potatoes for candlesticks, I made inquiry of our land- 
lord as to the manner of lighting the room for the in- 
tended performance. The reader will scarcely credit 
me when I say that neither a candle or lamp could 
be procured in the neighborhood! Of course we 
expected this would end all idea of the proposed perfor- 
mance ; but we were mistaken, the villagers insisted on 
(122) 



ALMOST A DUEL. 123 



the fulfillment of our promise to "give them a show," 
and at last, as a bit of fun, I told them that we would 
perform, if they would be satisfied that we should do so 
in the dark. The crowd agreed to this nem. con., 
and I here record the fact that we gave an entertain- 
ment, consisting of songs, duetts, recitations and in- 
strumental music, in total darkness ! The perform- 
ance appeared to take well with the audience, the 
applause being liberally showered upon us. At the 
close I dismissed my " patrons" with the assurance 
that we charged nothing for our services on that occa- 
sion, which seemed to please them more than even 
the " entertainment" which had drawn them together, 
three tremendous cheers being voluntarily given for 
the " show folk," as the delighted Bean Stationers 
groped their way to the door, and the tired travelers 
felt their ways to their several dormitories. Next 
morning we found that our hotel expenses had been 
settled by some of the leading gentlemen of the village, 
who had been instrumental in getting up the enter- 
tainment, and we wended our way toward the North 
Carolina Warm Springs. 

Greenville (East Tennessee) was our next town, 
and here we fitted up a carpenter's shop in good style 
for a theatre, and opened with every prospect of suc- 
cess. In another place I have related the result of 
our three nights' season. The " Tennessee Door- 
keeper," who considered his whole duty performed 
when he strictly guarded the door, leaving the win- 
dows wide open for the free ingress of the Greenvil- 
lians, (just returned from camp meeting,) will be 
remembered by those who honored my "Anecdotical 
Recollections" with a perusal. 



124 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. N 

On the 11th of September, we reached the Warm 
Springs, Buncombe county, N. C. This is a beauti- 
ful place, situated in a lovely valley, surrounded by 
hills — mountains, I might say. The river French 
Broad runs in front of the premises. The principal 
building, which is very spacious, is surrounded by 
beautiful white cottages for the accommodation of 
visitors. The Warm Spring is a great curiosity. The 
dining room of the hotel is capacitated for the accom- 
modation of 800 diners ! We found we were too 
LATE in arriving here, (just my luck !) nearly all the 
company having left the week previously. No matter 
— we determined to try our fortune with the few 
pleasure-seekers who remained, and were favored with 
the attendance at our first entertainment, of an audi- 
ence composed of every person at the Springs, in- 
cluding a numerous body of black servants, belonging 
to the place, who occupied the " upper end of the 
hall," being admitted on the "free list." 

Finding that our heavy tragedian and other "princi- 
pal actors" could be of no use whatever in the concert 
line, I dispatched them, in the stage, to Greenville, 
S. C, and gave the next and last entertainment with 
the assistance of Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Delmon only. 
This was attended by all the visitors again — our total 
receipts the two nights amounting to twenty-two 
dollars and seventy-five one-hundredths. 

I here sold one of my teams, pledged my $200 
watch to Col. Patton, our landlord, for $50, (never 
have had an opportunity to redeem it,) paid our bill, 
returned the borrowed money to my friend Burns, the 
drover, and secured seats for Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Del- 
mon, my two little boys and myself for Greenville, 



ALMOST A DUEL. 125 



S. C, where we were told, a splendid business might 
be calculated on. 

On getting into the stage coach, I was greatly sur- 
prised to observe two men on the back seat, naturally 
supposing the two ladies and children would have been 
permitted to occupy that place ; but my surprise was 
still greater when, being remonstrated with by the 
agent, they claimed the seat and expressed their de- 
termination to keep it. In all my travels, before or 
since, I have never met with a case like this, all gen- 
tlemen I have traveled with having ever been ready 
to yield the back seat of a stage coach to ladies. Not 
wishing to delay the coach, I requested the ladies and 
children to take the front seat, and boiling over with 
passion, I ascended to the box, where I took a seat 
with the driver. At our breakfast place, one of the 
occupants of the back seat came to me, and offered to 
resign his place to my wife, a sense of shame having 
overcome him on the way. The other person, who 
persisted in his claim, was a Mr. Smith, (it was such 
a singular name I shall never forget it!) a preacher 
from Charleston. While breakfast was getting ready, 
I went to the reverend gentlemen and told him that 
he must not think of riding inside the coach any 
further; that jThad taken my turn outside, and I 
wished him to experience the pleasant sensation of 
riding in the rain for a dozen miles or so, as I had 
done. He turned very pale, but said nothing. Shortly 
after he took his co-occupant of the back seat aside, 
and after some conversation between them, the latter 
came to me and said that if I persisted in my demand 
that Parson Smith should ride outside in the rain, he 
should espouse his cause, and see that no harm cam© 

11 



126 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

to him — in short, that he would not permit the 
preacher, that individual being a non-combatant, to 
be treated with violence. I observed that in Georgia 
I had heard of a man who amassed a considerable for- 
tune by minding his own business, and gently hinted 
that perhaps he might profit by confining his atten- 
tion to his own affairs. This rather nettled Mr. 
Bobadil, (I purposely suppress his real name,) and he 
cut short our conversation by notifying me that if I 
offered to prevent the preacher's entrance into the 
coach, he should consider it a personal insult and 
challenge me to mortal combat. 

" Challenge me, will you?" said I. "I will not ac- 
cept your challenge ; I am bound by my oath, as an 
attorney-at-law, not to challenge to fight, fight, or ac- 
cept a challenge to fight a^luel with deadly weapons. 
I shall abide by my oath." 

"You can resign your office of attorney-at-law, 
and can then accept my challenge," replied Mr. B. 

"But I don't ivant to resign," persisted I, "I don't 
want to be at liberty to accept a challenge ; I don't 
believe in fighting duels; in short — " 

At this juncture breakfast was announced, and we 
all made a good meal before resuming the subject. 
Breakfast over, I conducted the ladies and placed 
them in the back seat, after which I went to the 
clergyman and told him that if he went any further 
by that conveyance, he must ride with the driver. 
Mr. Bobadil came up and asked in a formal way if I 
intended to persist in my determination to make the 
clergyman ride on the outside. My answer was in the 
affirmative. 



ALMOST A DUEL. 127 



" Then, sir," said he, "I challenge you to give me 
the satisfaction of a gentleman." 

I answered — " Sir, I have no cause of quarrel with 
you — you have resigned your seat to the ladies, as any 
gentleman ought. I know the custom of this country 
will not permit me to decline your challenge ; so with 
great sorrow I accept it." 

" It is well," replied my opponent. " I have a pair 
of pistols, and we can settle this affair in five 
minutes." 

" Hold, sir," I interposed. " I have already told 
you I am principled against duelling — also that I 
have taken an oath not to fight with deadly weapons. 
You have challenged me — I have accepted your chal- 
lenge. If I am rightly informed in regard to your 
rules in matters of this kind, I, the challenged party, 
have a right to select the time, the place, and the 
weapons ; am I right ?" 

u Undoubtedly," he answered. 

" I avail myself of my right, then," I continued : 
" The time shall be now — the place here, and the 
weapons — fists." 

A general laugh followed this announcement — a 
considerable crowd having collected by this time, to 
witness the expected duel. 

" Sir," said Bobadil, " the time, I agree to — the 
place I make no objections to — the weapons I re- 
ject." 

" On what grounds, pray ?" inquired I. 

" On the ground that they are not gentlemanly 
weapons," he replied. 

"But I insist," said I, " that they are gentlemanly 
weapons." 



128 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

" How do you make that out ?" asked he. 

" Thus," I replied : " You challenge me ; by which 
act, according to your rules, you acknowledge me to 
be a gentleman. They are my weapons — ergo, they 
are the weapons of a gentleman, or in other words, 
gentlemanly weapons." 

Several of the crowd here began to take part with 
me, exclaiming — " Good — well argued — go it, law- 
yer !" 

" I object to your weapons," persisted my oppo- 
nent, " on the ground that they are unusual, and 
finally that, not being a pugilist myself, the chances 
would be greatly in your favor." 

" Just the reason that I named them," I replied. 
" If I fight in the way proposed, I expect to conquer; 
whereas, if I should fight with your confounded pis- 
tols, it is ten to one I would get a bullet in my 
thorax, which would be vastly inconvenient, I assure 
you, particularly at this time, when I am under a 
pledge to the good citizens of Greenville to appear 
before them day after day to-morrow night." 

The laugh being entirely against Bobadil, he took 
new ground — he said if I persisted in a " fist fight," 
he should avail himself of his right to postpone the 
battle, and procure a " champion" in three days. 

" I refuse to fight any champion — it must be either 
yourself or the preacher," said I. 

Finding that not much was to be made out of me 
in the talking line, Mr. Bobadil proceeded to the 
coach, where, taking out and cocking a pistol, he said 
to the preacher — 

" Go into the coach — I am here to protect you." 

The reverend gentleman hesitated. 



ALMOST A DUEL. 129 



"Don't attempt to go into the coach," said I, 
coming up to the other side of the door — "I am here 
to prevent you." 

The parson hesitated just a moment, and then — 
mounted the hox and took his seat with the driver. 

This ended all the difficulty. The fighting gentle- 
man became as friendly as a " sucking dove," and 
long before our journey was over, even the clergy- 
man joined us in laughing over the adventure, and 
acknowledged his regret at having claimed the back 
seat, and of being the cause of any words between 
the South Carolinian and myself. 

This little scene took place twenty years ago. At 
the time, and long afterwards, I thought I was in the 
right during the whole of that altercation. I record 
it to say I ivas in the wrong — decidedly. My con- 
duct towards the preacher was almost brutal, and I 
acknowledge it thus publicly, in hope, if these sheets 
should meet his eye, that with the same Christian 
spirit which impelled him to ascend to the top of the 
coach to endure a dripping rain, for the sake of 
peace, he will forgive me the harsh words I was 
guilty of uttering on that occasion. On my part, 
with the utmost sincerity, I forgive him for his great 
impoliteness in taking the back seat in the coach to 
the exclusion of ladies and children, and feel certain 
he will never sin in that way again. And while I am 
about it I may as well accord him my forgiveness for 
a furious attack he afterwards made from the pulpit, 
in Charleston, upon theatres and the theatrical pro- 
fession. Amen. 

11* 



CHAPTER XXII. 

THE QUARREL OF BRUTUS AND CASSIUS. 

Concert at Ashville — Arrival at Greenville — First appearance in 
South Carolina — Amateur Actors — Queer Roman Costumes — 
Great success of the Amateurs — Dying kick of Cassius. 

Beyond all comparison, the road from the Warm 
Springs to Ashville, is the most romantic I ever 
traveled ; that is for a road that is a road. Project- 
ing rocks, some of them 200 feet high, crowd the 
traveler almost into the French Broad river, nearly 
+ .he whole 37 miles. The river itself is something of 
a curiosity, being almost continuous rapids the whole 
way. 

Ashville is a very small village, and is the county 
seat of the great county of Buncombe, which Congress- 
men speak to so often. 

On the urgent request of many persons, we gave a 
concert here — couldn't give a " performance," in con- 
sequence of our baggage wagon not having arrived — 
we had passed it on the way — and received from the 
generous villagers and fashionable strangers assem- 
bled there, the sum of six dollars and seventy-five 
cents ! 

On Tuesday, 17th September, we arrived at the 
beautiful village of Greenville, and on Wednesday, 
having completed the " necessary alterations in the 
masonic lodge room, we opened it as a theatre, mak- 
ing our first appearance before a South Carolina 
audience, in the comedy of the " Honey Moon,*' 
(130) 



THE QUARREL OF BRUTUS AND CASSIUS. 131 

(somewhat cut down,) arid the afterpiece of " Family 
Jars." The four nights of that week yielded us a 
receipt of about $150. 

"VVe performed two more nights in the following 
week. My quondam friend, Bobaclil, (as I have 
called him,) and another gentleman, came to me on 
Tuesday morning, and expressed a wish to make their 
appearance on the stage in a tragedy ! It was of 
course out of the question to get up a tragedy for 
their accommodation ; but it struck me that the ap- 
pearance of " two gentlemen of South Carolina, their 
first attempt on any stage," (or in any lodge room,) 
would be of considerable benefit to my exchequer ; so 
I told them they might, if they thought proper, enact 
the celebrated quarrel scene of Brutus and Cassius, 
in Shakspeare's " Julius Caesar." This just suited 
them, as they were both familiar with the text, having 
at various times taken part in it at school. They 
went at it, hammer and tongs, rehearsing, while I 
sent out the performers of our troupe to make the 
fact known confidentially, to as many people as they 
could find, that Messrs. B. and G. were to appear 
that night. The house was crowded. 

Perhaps the reader is not aware what tricks ama- 
teur actors are subjected to when they aspire (or con- 
descend, as they consider it) to perform with regular 
actors. Some slight idea may be formed by the 
manner in which these gentlemen were treated on this 
occasion — all the actors lending a hand, of course, to 
assist in putting them through. 

First, the dressing. (They had requested to be so 
completely disguised that no one could know them.) 
Cassius (Bobadil) wore a gray tunic, a large spangled 



132 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

shoulder cloak, slouched hat and feathers ; stock, 
gray wig with a very long tail, black whiskers, 
(painted with cork,) mustachios turned up, large eye- 
brows, nankin pantaloons, boots, spurs! gauntlets, 
broadsword and truncheon. Brutus, his companion 
in arms, (Mr. G.,) was rigged out with a soldier's 
coat, Scotch kelt, large modern military hat, with 
enormous red and white feather, leopard-skin cloak, 
as worn by Holla, blue military pantaloons, consider- 
ably too short, pumps and spurs, (couldn't do without 
the spurs,) red wig, black whiskers, mustachios turned 
down, (as a contrast,) a Turkish scimitar, two pistols 
in his belt, gauntlets, very high standing shirt collar, 
white cravat, tied with an enormous bow, and ruffled 
shirt, displayed to the best advantage. Thus ac- 
coutred, they appeared before the audience, with a 
success unprecedented in that town, I'll venture to 
say, and probably not exceeded anywhere. Oassius 
ranted and stamped like mad, keeping his back to 
the audience, and crowding the " gentle Brutus" 
into a corner, where that personage quietly " took the 
word" from the prompter, and kept a bold front to 
the public until the dialogue was concluded. The 
applause and laughter of the audience shook the 
masonic hall to its foundations. The gentlemen actors 
were in high glee at their success, and Bobadil asked 
me if there would be anything improper in volunteer- 
ing a comic song. Consenting at once to this ad- 
dition to the fun of the evening, I rang_up the curtain, 
and Oassius gave a very passable song, entitled the 
" King and the Countryman." This pleased the ex- 
cited public so well that they called for a song from 
the other gentleman. Mr. G. had begun to discover 



THE QUARREL OF BRUTUS AND CASSIUS. 133 

the joke, and was in the act of disrobing when this 
call was made, and nothing should induce him, he 
said, to make a fool of himself a moment longer — 
"besides," he added, "I never sung a song in my 
life." Cassius was somewhat enraged at his com- 
rade's refusal to gratify the audience, and proposed, 
as the noise was kept up, that since Brutus would 
not sing, they should act the quarrel scene over again ; 
but Brutus positively refusing, the fiery Cassius 
turned to me and offered to dance a hornpipe, if that 
would be satisfactory to our patrons. Putting on a 
grave face, I said — 

"It is very plain to my comprehension, that the 
audience do not want singing or dancing — what they 
want is a little more tragedy." 

"Do you think so?" said Cassius. "Well, what 
can we give them?" 

" I know of nothing you can give them," replied I, 
"better, or more appropriate, or more likely to be ac- 
ceptable, than the death scene of Cassius on the plains 
of Philippi." 

" Hah ! the very thing !" agreed the excited ama- 
teur, "but I havn't studied it. What are the 
words ?" 

I put a volume of Shakspeare into his hands, 
pointing to the page, called our low comedian, Mr. 
Coney, (dressed for Diggory,) and told him he must 
perform the part of Pindarus, Cassius' freed man, 
which he very willingly undertook to do, "under the 
circumstances, at very short notice," and Cassius hav- 
ing, as he thought, mastered the few lines of the scene 
to be enacted, the curtain was again rung up. 

Cassius had by some accident, (or more likely by 



184 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

some contrivance of one of the actors,) changed hats 
with Brutus, and he now appeared with the large mili- 
tary cocked hat which had sat so gracefully on the brow 
of the "noblest Roman of them all." 

The scene which followed was ludicrous in the ex- 
treme. 

Cassius — Come hither, sirrah ! 

In Parthia did I take thee prisoner, 
And then I swore — I swore — 

[D — d if lean remember any more.~\ 
Prompter. — I swore — 
Cassius. — [Fvesaid that.] 
Prompter. — And then I swore thee, &c. 

Cassius. — [Yes, I remember. ] I swore thee, saving of thy life— 
Prompter. — That whatsoever I'd bid thee do — 
Cassius. — That whatsoever I'd bid thee do — 

Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now keep thine 
oath. 
Prompter. — (Cassius repeating after him.) 

Now be a freeman, and with this good sword. 
C [ Where is it? Oh, here on the wrong side.] 
That ran through Csesar's bowels, search this bosom. 
Here, take thou the hilts. 

[Coney takes sioord and an attitude.] 
And when my face is covered, as 'tis now. 

[How am I to cover my face? This surtout wonH, 
reach.] 
Manager. — [Pull your hat over your eyes.] 

Cassius. — [Oh, very well; pulls the hat over his eyes and down to 
his nose.] Guide thou the sword. 

[Coney stabs him several times, which Cassius not 
observing, being blindfolded, continues to stand 
with his arms extended, trying to run on the 
sword.] 
Manager. — (From the wing) — Fall ! 

[Cassius falls with all Ms weight, half his body 
off the stage, still blindfolded.] 
Manager. — Now for the dying words. 
Cassius. — [ What are they ?] 



THE QUARREL OF BRUTUS AND CASSIUS. 135 

Prompter — Csesar, thou art revenged, &c. 

Cassius. — Csesar, thou art revenged even with the sword that 

killed thee. 
Manager. — Now for the dying struggle. 
Cassius. — [Gives several dying kicks — the curtain falls.] 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE MISSES AND MADAMS OF THE STAGE. 

Pendleton — Distinguished Men — Grace over mush — A marriage in 
the company — Misses and Mistresses — Branches of the Georgia 
Company. Letter from Mr. Dyke— Death of Palmer in Missouri, 
and Lyons at sea. 

Our next town was Pendleton, the very centre 
of the state, and then the hot-bed of Nullification. 
After considerable difficulty, the Farmers' Hall was 
procured for our performances, and the Pendletonians 
were treated to the first representation of a play and 
afterpiece in their town, on a brick floor. 

On the first day of our stay in this place, I had an 
opportunity of seeing four plain-looking gentlemen in 
consultation on some county or district business at 
one end of the Farmers' Hall, while we were putting 
up scenery at the other. These farmer-looking 
/gentlemen were Col. Hugee, John C. Calhoun, 
Gov. Hamilton and Mr. Pinckney. It is very sel- 
dom one sees four such distinguished men together 
any where. 

We acted about a week in Pendleton, during the 
races, to very moderate houses, paying $5 per night 
to the town treasurer for the privilege, and then 
pulled up stakes, determined to get out of the state 
as soon as possible. 

Monday, October 7th, passed through Anderson 
village, the seat of justice for the district, where we 
were urged to perform a few nights. No ! — positively 
(136) 



THE MISSES AND MADAMS OF THE STAGE. 137 

no more acting by us in South Carolina, where they 
tax us about two-thirds of our receipts. Tuesday 
night, stayed at a Mrs. Liddell's, where we had mush 
and milk for supper, " by particular desire !" When 
we seated ourselves at the table, the'landlady raised 
her hands towards the ceiling and pronounced the fol- 
lowing words, instead of asking a blessing : 

"Come all ye mush-eaters of the best, 
Aloft your spoon shanks raise, 
And in the voice of melody, 

Sing forth the mush-pot's praise." 

Supposing it might be a custom of the country, we 
sang the lines to the tune of Mear, and then fell to. 

Next morning after paying a swingeing bill, (for 
poetry, mush and lodging,) we proceeded on to Ab- 
beville Court House, where we had the satisfac- 
tion of paying no tax for playing, for the simple 
reason that we did not play, though strongly urged to 
do so. Thursday morning we crossed the Savannah 
river, on each side of which, at our crossing-place, 
stands a town — Lisbon on one side, and Vienna on 
the other — and arrived the same night at Washing- 
ton, in Georgia. Here we were announced to per- 
form three nights ; but to our utter dismay, on the 
rising of the curtain we found that only nine persons 
constituted our entire audience ! At the close of the 
performance, I directed the carpenter to take down 
the scenery and be ready for an early start in the 
morning. A great many people remonstrated against 
this hasty retreat, saying that now the citizens under- 
stood the performance was "respectable," they would 
crowd the room the other two nights ; but I was firm 

12 



138 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

in my determination to leave, and leave we did, with- 
out subjecting ourselves to the chance of such another 
mortification. 

Two of our company, Mrs. Delmon and Mr. Coney, 
were married in this place ; that is to say, the mar- 
riage ceremony was performed — I cannot suppose 
there was any legality in it, as Mr. Delmon was alive 
at the time. Poor Coney afterwards went to Texas, 
joined a military company, and was killed in battle. 
Mrs. Coney, after marrying several other gentlemen in 
the theatrical profession, is at this moment (June, 
1853) performing in the city where I am writing, 
(St. Louis,) under her maiden name of " Miss Cramp- 
ton !" She is certainly a very talented actress, and 
in retaining or rather resuming her maiden name she 
is only following the example of Miss Julia Bennett, 
Miss Anna Londsdale, Miss Anna Criuse, Miss Vallee, 
Mademoiselle Celeste, and a hundred others, some of 
whom are "happy wives" and mothers of children. 
This sailing under false colors is a most ridiculous 
and disgraceful custom, and operates more against 
the respectability of the profession than anything I 
know of. Some remarks of an old and valued friend 
on this subject, contained in a letter just received, 
are so much in consonance with my own views, that I 
insert them : 



" Miss is a daily iterated lie, or she is a shameless prosti- 
tute ! Does she intend to deceive the public into a belief that she 
is an unmarried woman ? She courts their censure by cohabiting 

with Mr. . Does she claim their respect as a married woman, 

as Mrs. ? She challenges their contempt by falsely assuming 

to be Miss . This may by some be considered as a pardonable 

deception ; but I have had good evidence that it has led people to 



THE MISSES AND MADAMS OF THE STAGE. 139 

doubt the respectability of every person in the profession. They say 
— 'Oh, you cannot tell anything about actors or actresses, ■whether 
they are maried or single ; they have no respect for the marriage 
ceremony; even those who have husbands try to conceal the fact, 
considering the advantage of being called JHqsses of far more impor- 
tance than to be respected as married women.' What can be said 
in favor of a profession where the women can coolly sacrifice their 
private reputation for the sake of an infamous notoriety. Lan- 
guage of this kind is common — how can it be otherwise ?" 

Being returned to Georgia, I thought it time to make 
inquiry as to the whereabouts of my company, left 
in charge of Managers Palmer and Lyons. It had 
scattered! There were several "branches" of the 
original stock perambulating the state ; but the Gen- 
erals had beat a retreat, and had " wandered away, 
no one knew whither !" 

A Mr. Dyke, someweat notorious as a strolling 
manager in Indiana and Illinois, having engaged one 
or two of my former company, (a carpenter and door- 
keeper,) announced his concern as one of my branches. 
Some years ago this same Dyke applied to my brother 
Lemuel for an engagement in the words and figures 
following, to wit : 

"Dear Sir: — I am informed u are in want of a woman. I can 
furnish you with my wife. She plays Mrs. Haller and dances the 
slack wire elegantly — the vursatility of her talents you may per- 
ceive by this is astonishing ; and I don't give up the mock duke to 
no actor in the country, if you want my wife you can have us 
boath on reasonable turms, say ate (8) dollars for her and sicks (6) 
for me. Rite by return of male. Dies, 

WM. DYKE." 

Pushed on to Milledgeyille, where we arrived on 
the 18th of October, and commenced preparations for 
opening the theatre, which was no small task, inas- 



140 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

much as Messrs. Palmer and Lyons had "managed" 
to destroy, scatter and lose nearly everything in the 
shape of wardrobe, scenery and properties entrusted 
to them. Mr. Lyons I did not meet for two or three 
years afterwards. Mr. Palmer came to see me during 
the time that we remained in Milledgeville ; and in 
consequence of his having taken part with the mur- 
derer of my brother during my absence — that brother 
having always been a kind friend to him when living — 
I uttered this prophecy : " Palmer, you will die in 
a ditch !" Five years afterwards he came to me here 
in St. Louis, a poor drunken wretch, begging for 
means to purchase bread. I gave him $5, and he 
left me. Next day I learned that, in crossing a gully, 
on his way to St. Charles, he fell in, and actually 
died in the way I had prophecied ! Lyons, about the 
same time, (1838,) formed a company for Texas, and 
embarking on board a brig at New York, was lost, with 
all the company except two, (Mr. Dougherty and an- 
other,) the vessel being upset in a gale. 



CHAPTER XXIY. 

FIRE IN THE CAPITOL. 

Commencement of the season — Fire — State House saved — A Negro 
rewarded, after a while — I claim a pair of boots. 

With a rather inefficient company, consisting of 
some few stragglers reclaimed from my " branches," 
and the recruits I had brought with me from Cincinnati, 
the Milledgeville Theatre was opened on Monday, 28th 
of October, with the comedy of the " Soldier's Daugh- 
ter," and the standard farce of " Family Jars." 

Business continued dull until the assemblage of the 
legislature, on the 4th of November, when the tide 
turned in our favor and continued, with but little 
variation, to the end of the session and season. 

A. H. Pemberton, Esq., from Augusta, passed 
most of his time here during the session. This gen- 
tleman (now dead) was a very energetic political 
writer, and wielded a considerable influence in the 
affairs of the state. He was a warm advocate and able 
defender of the stage, and wrote in its favor whenever 
opportunity offered. In 1831, he received the thanks, 
in a series of resolutions, of Mr. Caldwell's company, 
then performing in St. Louis, for his able and mas- 
terly defence of the drama, and of a member of our 
profession, Mrs. F. Brown, against the attacks of a 
fanatic named Gilchirst. 

On the 16th of November there was an alarm of fire, 
and it was soon ascertained that the state house was 
burning. Our company instantly suspended rehearsal 
12* (141) 






142 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

and repaired to the spot, where all were engaged in 
carrying out the valuable documents, records, and 
the assets of the Central Bank of Georgia. I did 
not perceive that any persons were making attempts 
to extinguish the fire, which was in the upper part of 
the house — all seeming to be impressed with the idea 
"the house must go," there being no engines in the 
town. Meeting an acquaintance or two, (I remember 
the names of Messrs. McElvoy and Williams) I pro- 
posed that we should go up and ascertain where the 
fire was. These gentlemen acceded to the proposition, 
and on our way, seeing a very large and strong negro 
man busily at work carrying out books, we enlisted 
him in our little band and proceeded to the roof, where 
we soon found that by energetic and prompt action 
it was yet possible to save the building. I am not 
going to describe the proceedings which took place — 
suffice it to say they were successful ; the state house 
was saved. The following article from the pen of Mr. 
Pemberton, in the Augusta Chronicle, will show that 
due credit was given to those who were happily instru- 
mental in saving the government building: 

"'Great credit is due to Peter Williams, Esq., Sol. Smith, Esq., 
of the theatre, Mr. McElvoy of the House of Representatives, and 
one or two others whose names we do not know, and a Negro, for 
their intrepid and indefatigable exertions on the roof, to which, 
mainly, the preservation of the bnilding is to be attributed. We 
trust the members of the Legislature and the people of Milledge- 
rille, which latter have a deep intex-est in the preservation of the 
state house, will propose a benefit to Mr. Smith, and give him a 
glorious bumper for his fearless and most valuable exertions on the 
occasion. He richly deserves it." 

The " benefit" was proposed, at $5 a ticket, but I 



FIRE IN THE CAPITOL. 143 ■ 

shrank from the acceptance of any such demonstra- 
tion. The negro, however, (Gods ! how that fellow 
did work !) was rewarded by the legislature with his 
freedom ; or rather, I should say, it was the intention 
of the members to vote him his freedom ; but in their 
hasty legislation they voted $1800 to purchase the 
man, and forgot to pass an act for his emancipation ! 
It was only last year (1852) that the governor dis- 
covered the omission, and the legislature passed the 
necessary act. The noble fellow had been for nine- 
teen years the property of the commonwealth, and 
had busied himself in taking care and keeping in 
order the building he had so efficiently assisted in pre- 
serving. 

Now one word for myself. In that affair I lost a 
good (almost new) overcoat, and a valuable pair of 
boots, which I took off while working on the roof. 
The coat I say nothing about ; but the boots ! — I 
don't think it would be at all out of the way if the 
State of Georgia were to make me a present of a 
bran new fair ; and I hope Governor Cobb, before he 
retires from the station he has filled so well, will look 
into this business. Although I declined the proposed 
benefit, I will not decline the boots, if offered. 



CHAPTER XXY. 



BYROM, THE GAMBLER. 



The ruined Merchant — The Oath — Appointment to die at Midnight 
— Death of Byrom — Conviction of Murder on Circumstantial 
Evidence, and execution of an innocent man. 

" Henry Byrom, the gambler, is shot !" 
Such were the words which were passed from one 
to another on the morning of the 20th of November, 
1833, at the seat of government of the State of 
Georgia. Henry Byrom, a young man of fine talents, 
and well educated, was a merchant in one of the 
small towns of Georgia, operating on a capital of 
$10,000 furnished by his mother. In an evil hour he 
entered a gambling house, "just to see what was going 
on," and was induced to make some small bets on the 
game of faro. He was successful at first ; but before 
midnight, stimulated by strong drinks, with which 
he was plied, he not only lost all the ready money he 
had with him, but became deeply in debt to the 
keeper of the bank. Next day he was unfit for busi- 
ness, and did not open his store, and when night again 
shrouded the earth, he stealthily sought the gambler's 
den, determined to retrieve his fortunes or lose all. 

" Here is the key of my store," said he to the 
the banker, throwing it down upon the table, " in it is 
a stock of goods which cost $10,000; give me checks 
— I play until I win back my last night's losses, or 
you win all the store contains." 
(144) 



BYROM, THE GAMBLER. 145 

" Agreed," said the banker, and commenced turn- 
ing the cards. 

In two short hours all was decided ; the key re- 
mained in possession of fche banker, and Byrom rushed 
out into the square a ruined man ! 

"I swore an oath," said Byrom, when relating these 
occurrences to me, " that from that moment I would 
prey upon mankind ; I would learn the devilish arts 
of the gambler, and turn them against my fellow-men. 
I have done so — behold me now — I am no longer a 
merchant — no longer a respectable man. Can he be 
respectable — nay, can he lay any claim to a shadow of 
respectability — who has gambled away his mother'3 
all, and caused her death ? No ! no ! I am — Byrom, 
the gambler !" 

Traveling from Milledgeville to Athens in a stage 
coach with a mother and her two daughters, his fine 
appearance and polished manners made an impression 
so favorable that when the coach stopped and he was 
bowing his adieu, the old lady expressed the hope that 
he would call on them if he should visit Macon, where 
they resided. He smiled languidly as he listened 
to the old lady ; then, drawing himself up, he threw 
open his outside traveling coat, and casting a piercing 
glance at the ladies, he laughed sarcastically, and 
exclaiming, U I am Byrom, the gambler!" walked 
away. 

Byrom, when I knew him, was one of the most expert 
of the "sporting men" in the state; he played high, 
drank deep, and was in fact a gentlemanly desperado. 
In an affray he killed a Mr. Ellis, of Macon, in 1832, 
and was now in Milledgeville, pursuing his nefarious 
profession. On the night of the 19th of November, 



146 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

some difficulty occurring between a hotel-keeper, (Mr. 
Macomb,) and Col. Ward, a friend of Byrom's, fire- 
arms were resorted to, and the Colonel received a 
dangerous wound from a pistol shot. Byrom became 
savage, and threatened vengeance on Macomb, who, it 
was universally conceded, acted only in self-defence. 
I heard the conclusion of a speech he made to a large 
concourse of people, from the steps of the hotel where 
Macomb lay wounded. He denounced Macomb and 
all who sided with him as poltroons and cowards, and 
dared them, one and all, to " fight it out" with Mm, 
said that he would have the heart's blood of Macomb, 
and concluded by taking out his watch and saying : — 

I APPOINT TWELVE O'CLOCK THIS NIGHT TO DIE, AND 
INVITE YOU ALL TO MY FUNERAL." 

Macomb's friends had armed themselves, and stood 
ready, on the second floor of , a back gallery, to repel 
any attack which might be made. Byrom continued 
to walk up and down the platform beneath the gallery, 
with a cocked pistol in each hand, until exactly twelve 
o'clock, when exclaiming, "come, it is time!" he 
rushed up the steps, and was met by the discharge of 
a volley of musketry, which laid him dead. There I 
saw his lifeless body the next morning, the pistols 
still grasped in his clenched hands. Seven or eight 
buckshot had entered his brain — and that was the end 
of Byrom, the gambler. 

On Friday, 22d of November, I witnessed the exe- 
cution of the Rev. Mr. Johnson, convicted of murder- 
ing his wife's sister, a child about twelve years of age, 
by hanging her on a hackbury tree. His guilt ap- 
peared undoubted, although the evidence was all cir- 
cumstantial. On the gallows he seemed quite uncon- 



EXECUTION ON AN INNOCENT MAN. 147 

cerned. He had evidently made up his mind to die, 
all intercessions to the legislature on his behalf for a 
pardon having proved unavailing. His wife, who was 
mainly instrumental in proving his guilt, was on the 
gallows with him, and seemed anxious that her hus- 
band should forgive her before he suffered. The poor 
man, whose hands were fast tied, could not embrace 
his wife ; but allowed her to embrace him, and ap- 
peared rather pleased when she got through with her 
caresses. Mr. Johnson was then asked if he had any- 
thing to say before he suffered the extreme penalty of 
the law ? He turned and looked around on the crowd 
and said mildly, " I have nothing to say, except that 
I hope all of you, my friends, who came to see this 
sight, when your time comes to die, may be as ready 
to meet your God as I am. I die innocent." In 
less than a minute after these words were uttered, his 
body was hanging a lifeless corpse, and the people 
were returning to their homes, wondering how any 
man — particularly a minister of the gospel — could be 
so hardened as to die with a lie upon his lips ; for 
probably not one in that large crowd gave credit to 
his dying words. 

Reader, he did die innocent ! Fourteen years 
afterwards a negro was hung in Mississippi, who on 
the gallows confessed that he committed the crime for 
which Mr. Johnson paid the terrible penalty. 



CHAPTER XXYI. 



OLD SOL. S MESSAGE. 



Close of season — A good benefit — Message to the Legislature. 

On the occasion of my benefit — the closing night — 
I issued the following "Message," which undoubtedly 
had its desired effect, for the house was crammed in 
every part : 



OLD SOL.'S MESSAGE. 

To both Houses of the Legislature. 

Gentlemen — As we are about closing our labors in the Me- 
tropolis for the present year — or in other words, as our Legislative 
and Theatrical Sessions are about to end, I think it my duty and 
interest to communicate this my MESSAGE. 

I thank you for your co-operation in many instances, but I am of 
opinion that a better understanding ought to be had next year on 
one subject — that is, Night Sessions. I recommend that you here- 
after leave them to me. I am not certain whether the people's 
interests would be promoted by adopting my views on this subject, 
but I am almost certain that mine would. Several times during 
our present Session, when we have been toiling thro' a long Tragedy 
or Comedy (to the bare walls and empty benches,) and I have seen 
the Senate and Representative Chambers lit up, nothing but the 
great respect I have felt and do feel for my co-laborers for the 
public weal, has prevented me from exclaiming, in the words of 
the immortal bard, " a plague on both your houses." 

I have the honor of stating to you that the receipts the current 
year have fallen considerably below the estimates, but with a strict 
economy, and a guarded examination of expenditures, only a small 
appropriation will be necessary to meet all emergencies. 

My Night Sessions have been pretty regularly held. A great 
number of bills have been reported, (and 300 copies ordered to be 
jjrinted,*) many of which have been approved of, but some of which, 

(148) 



OLD SOL.'S MESSAGE. 149 

I am sorry to say, have not been acted on, in consequence of there 
not being a quorum present to decide upon their merits. I wish 
you to take this into your serious consideration — that -while you 
have been snugly seated in your houses, discussing the merits of 
nullification and railroads, (sure of your four dollars a day,) I 
have frequently been under the necessity of ordering many bills to 
lie on the table, because there was no money in the treasury not other- 
wise approprinted. 

As all the members of our house have had their claims allowed, 
it only remains for me to recommend that each of you immediately 
pass a bill (a one dollar Central Bank bill) for the benefit of OLD 
SOL. 

I did intend to say something on other matters of importance — 
such as the U. S. Bank, — Donna Maria Gloria of Portugal, Major 
Jack Downing, — Col. Crockett — the Alabama Question — the late 
and expected nomination for Congress — &e. &c. &c. — but my time 
is precious, and I leave to your imaginations what I would say on 
each and all of these subjects. I will conclude this document by 
saying that as there have been a great many PARTIES, lately, I 
give a general invitation to the members of all PARTIES to attend 
my PARTY this evening ; and I hope the measure will be carried 
without a division. 

Given under my hand at the Executive Office of the Theatre, 
this 14th day of December, in the year of our Lord 1838, of the 
Independence of U. S. the 58th, and of my management in 
Georgia, the Second. SOL. SMITH. 



13 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

STOPPING PLACES IN GEORGIA AND. ALABAMA. 

Macon — A challenge from an enraged Tragedian — A premature 
explosion — The " Old Station " — Captain Crowell and his "boy" 
Peter — Prayer and Punch — Jumping for a wife — Gen. Wood- 
ward's extra charge for Music — Accident at a Quarter Race in 
the Creek Nation — The unfortunate Widow. 

Our next move was to Macon, where, in conse- 
quence of bad weather, we made but a poor season. 
I remember nothing very amusing connected with my 
present visit to this city except the following : 

During Christmas time one night, our heavy tra- 
gedian got "tight," and kicked up "considerable of a 
muss" in one of the dressing-rooms, ending his manceu- 
vers by attacking one of the employees of the theatre 
and inflicting upon him many blows, cuffs and thumps. 
This conduct entitled him, under our rules and regu- 
lations, to an instant discharge, which he instantly 
received ; when, taking his bundle under his arm and 
assuring me in an emphatic manner that I should 
" hear from him," the indignant tragedian went off, 
and the play went on. The piece was " Paul Pry at 
Dover," in which I personated the inquisitive Paul. 
Just as I was going on the stage in the third act, to 
be shut up in a box of fireworks, a note was handed 
to me by the call-boy. Not having leisure to read it 
at the time, I put it in my vest pocket, and proceeded 
with my part. In due time I was in the box, where 
(having a lighted candle with me) it was my business, 
(150) 



STOPPING PLACES IN GEORGIA AND ALABAMA. 151 

at a certain " cue," to set fire to a fuse or match com- 
municating with fireworks. As I lay there, waiting 
for my cue, the note I had received occurred to my 
mind, and I determined to read it. It was a chal- 
lenge from the discharged tragedian I I burst into a 
violent laugh, (I couldn't help it,) and during my 
cachinatory movements, I upset the candle, which 
communicated to the fuse before the proper time, and 
the contemplated " terrible explosion " took place 
prematurely. 

Moving south-westwardly, (I forgot to say there 
was no duel — the challenge was withdrawn next day,) 
Montgomery, in Alabama, was our next destination 
— leaving out Columbus this time. Of the various 
stopping places, when journeying from town to town 
in Georgia, I remember none with more pleasure than 
the " Old Station" — Capt. Crowell's. The arrival of 
our company, always announced by an avant courier, 
was the cause of a holiday with the jolly old captain 
and his amiable family. Such delicious fare as we 
had at the station ! and with it, always such a hearty 
welcome ! Ah •! I must travel through that country 
again — and will, if my life is spared another year. 

The captain had a boy named Peter ; rather an 
old boy — say between fifty and sixty years of age — a 
negro, in whose judgment he had great confidence. 
When in the least doubt on any matter, he always 
appealed to Peter, who never failed to give his 
opinion honestly, bluntly and immediately. Some- 
times the traveling community crowded on him in 
such numbers that the worthy captain found it diffi- 
cult, even with his " ample room and verge," to ac- 
commodate the late comers. After talking the matter 



152 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

over, he would appeal to His black oracle. "It 
don't seem to me we can possibly accommodate any- 
more; every bed is engaged. Peter, what do you 
think ?" " Put 'em on blankets by the fire," Peter 
would suggest, if favorably inclined to the travelers ; 
if otherwise, his answer would probably be — " Can't 
take in anudder one;" and the captain always 
confirmed Peter's decision, exclaiming, " Peter is 
right." 

It so happened on one occasion, when we were so- 
journers with Captain Crowell, that a traveling 
preacher came along rather late in the evening, and 
applied for accommodation. 

"Don't believe we can take you in, stranger; 
mighty full to-night — got the play actors here — jolly 
set ! full, jam up !" said the captain. 

" I regret exceedingly that you cannot accomodate 
me, as I am fatigued and hungry, having been in the 
saddle since sunrise," mildly replied the preacher, as 
he turned his horse's head to pursue his journey. 

The captain relented a little. " Fatigued and hun- 
gry ! The devil ! It won't do to turn a man off fa- 
tigued and hungry, — what do you say, Peter ?" 

Peter, who had been waiting for the question, answer- 
ed, — "Better call um back," — which w T as instantly 
done. 

" Holloo ! Stranger ! Holloo ! you with the saddle- 
bags ! Come back and 'light — we'll see what we can 
do for you." 

The preacher did not wait for a second invitation, 
but returned and dismounted. 

" I don't like preachers much — nor Peter either ; 
but mother and the girls have no objections to 'em," 



STOPPING PLACES IN GEORGIA AND- ALBABAMA. 153 

mumbled the captain as he took the saddle-bags and 
put them safely away. " I'll be dot darned if I know 
what to do with him, though — everything is full. 
What do you say, Peter ? 

"Put him in de bar," answered Peter, and it was 
so arranged. "Peter is right!" exclaimed the cap- 
tain. 

Afttr supper, the preacher proposed that we should 
have family worship, saying that Mrs. Crowell and the 
young ladies had accorded their consent to such a 
proceeding. The captain was taken completely aback. 
The truth is, he had ordered Peter to make a tremen- 
dous bowl of punch, and had calculated on passing the 
evening in a jolly and convivial way. The proposed 
"family worship" didn't seem exactly compatible ; yet 
he disliked to refuse, as the females seemed to favor it. 

" Well, stranger," said he, "I don't know what to 
think about this here business. I didn't expect, when 
we took you in, that you would knock up our fun ; 
that is, I didn't exactly look for you to go in for any 
of your preachin' fixins ; the fact is, we have company 
to-night, (lowering his voice,) who ain't much used to 
that sort of thing ; in short — What do you say, Peter ?" 

"Let him go it," replied Peter at once, knowing 
that it would gratify his mistress. 

So the travelers and family were gathered together 
in the bar-room, and the worthy Presbyterian com- 
menced one of those extensively long prayers which 
appear to have no end, and in which the Almighty is 
told what to do with his creatures in all their varied 
walks of life. The captain stood it pretty well for the 
first quarter of an hour, but after a while he began to 
get mighty uneasy. Looking first one way and then 



154 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

another, his eye at length rested on Peter, who was 
standing on the outside of the door, bearing in his arms 
a large bowl. He had been tempted several times to 
stop the clergyman, but now he determined to submit 
the matter to an umpire that never failed to decide 
correctly — accordingly, in a loud whisper, he propound- 
ed the question — " What do you say, Peter?" 

"Better quit it," was the decision of Peter, who al- 
most immediately added — "Punch is ready." 

The captain gave a gentle jog to the long-winded 
Presbyterian, and said— " Peter thinks we'd better 
bring this matter to an end. We've got a splendid 
bowl of punch ; and as soon as you can conveniently 
come to i Amen,' perhaps it would be as well to wind 
up." 

The minister did "wind up" rather suddenly, and 
the "family worship" was over for that night. I feel 
compelled to add that the preacher, after a little urg- 
ing, drank his full share of the punch, and the evening 
passed off pleasantly, ending with the stowing away of 
the worthy divine in the little room known as the 
"bar," where he rested as well, probably, as he would 
have done in the best bed-room — his long ride in a 
drizzling rain, assisted by the comforting contents of 
Peter's punch bowl, predisposing him to a sound sleep. 

It had been told me for a fact that Capt. Crowell 
had said no man should marry his daughter who could 
not out-jump her. At the time I traveled in that 
country, it was said she had out-jumped all the young 
men who had come to woo her; but the captain felt 
pretty certain that when the right one should come she 
wouldn't jump so well. More than likely, long before 
this time she has been "won and wed." 



STOPPING PLACES IN GEORGIA AND ALABAMA. 1 55 

Another famous stopping place was Gen. Wood- 
ward's, at Caleba Swamp. The general was a tall, no- 
ble looking fellow, a rough likeness of George Barrett. 
He always gave us a hearty welcome, and many a 
pleasant night I have spent at his house. A most ec- 
centric man he was. A preacher putting up at his 
house one night, complained of being disturbed by a 
fiddler who kept playing till midnight. (The " fiddler " 
was the general himself.) Next morning, as the tra- 
velers came up to settle their several bills, each was 
charged a dollar, except the preacher, of whom a dol- 
lar and a quarter was demanded. 

" Will you be kind enough to inform me why it is 
you charge me more than the others?" asked the 
preacher. 

"Sartin," replied the general — "the extra quarter 
I charge you for — the music." 

It was General Woodward who, during the Indian 
troubles, sent a formal offer to the War Department 
that for $500 he would take as many rocks as he could 
carry in his pocket, and stone the Greeks out of the 
Nation. 

Between Caleba Swamp and Line Creek, in the " Na- 
tion," we saw considerable of a crowd gathered near a 
drinking house, most of them seated and smoking. 
We stopped to see what was the matter. It was Sun- 
day, and there had been a quarter race for a gallon 
of whiskey. The first thing I noticed on alighting, 
was the singular position of one of the horses of the 
party. He was kneeling down and standing on his 
hinder feet, his head wedged in between the ends of 
two logs of the grocery, and he was stone dead, hav- 
ing evidently run directly against the building a,t full 



156 



THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 



speed, causing the house partially to fall. About five 
paces from the body of the horse lay the rider, quite 
senseless, with a gash in his throat which might have 
let out a thousand lives. As I said, most of the crowd 
were seated and smoking. 

" What is all this ?" I inquired. " What is the mat- 
ter here ?" 

" Matter ?" after a while answered one in a drawl- 
ing voice, giving a good spit, and refilling his mouth 
with a new cud. " Matter enough ; there's been a 
quarter race." 

"But how came this man and horse killed?" I 
asked. 

"Well," answered the chewing and spitting gentle- 
man — " the man was considerably in liquor, I reckon, 
and he run his hoss chuck agin the house, and that's 
the whole on it." 

" Has a doctor been sent for ?" inquired one of our 
party. 

" I reckon there ain't much use of doctors here" 
replied another of the crowd. " Burnt brandy couldn't 
save either of 'em, man or hoss." 

" Has this man a wife and children ?" inquired I. 

" No children, that I knows on," answered a female, 
who was sitting on the ground a short distance from 
the dead man, smoking composedly. 

"He has a wife, then?" I remarked. "What will 
be her feelings when she learns the fatal termination 
of this most unfortunate race ?" 

"Yes," sighed the female — "it was an unfortunate 
race — poor man, he lost the whiskey." 

" Do you happen to know his wife ? — has she been 



UNFORTUNATE RESULT OP A QUARTER RACE. 157 

informed of the untimely death of her husband? 
were my next inquiries. 

"Do I Jrnoic her? Has she been informed of his 
death ?' ; said the woman. ;; Well, I reckon you ain't 
acquainted about these parts. I am the unfortunate 
bidder. " 

i; You, madam ! You the wife of this man who 
has ":een so untimely cut off:''' I exclaimed, in aston- 
ishment. 

••' Yes. and what about it?"' said she. '''Untimely 
cut off? His throat's cut, that's all. by that 'taraal 
sharp end of a log ; and as for its being untimely, I 
don't know but it's as well now as any time — lie warrit 
:f much : :: :\rr. s . no how .''' 

She resumed her smoking, and we resumed our 
journey. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



THE COMEDIAN. 
A very short chapter, and not much in it. 

The season in Montgomery, this year, (1834,) 
commenced on the 16th of January. The celebrated 
George Holland joined me in the management, and 
the firm was " Smith & Holland." 

George Holland came to this country under an en- 
gagement for three years at the Bowery Theatre. 
After performing in that establishment for a short 
time, he received so many offers of starring engage- 
ments, that he bought himself out, and started on a 
tour through the states, making money at every step. 
In a year or two he accumulated sufficient means to 
purchase a cottage at Harlem, near New York. 
Being fond of domestic comforts, he fitted up his 
place in the most tasteful manner — improved his 
grounds — had a boat — kept his gig and fast trotting 
poney, and was really in a little earthly paradise. 
Being a very popular comedian in New York, and his 
cottage being always open to his friends, he had con- 
siderable company, who delighted in his society, his 
jokes, his dinners and his champagne. He lived thus 
for about two years ; when some " d — d good natured 
friends" persuaded him to fit up his place as a house 
of entertainment. He followed the advice — expended 
a large sum in preparing his premises for the recep- 
tion of company, and- was ruined ! Those friends 

(158) 



THE COMEDIAN. 150 



who could find time to pass days at his cottage when 
it cost nothing, now found that their business in town 
suffered during their absence ; the wine which was 
drank with such gout before, was now discovered to 
be of the same kind as that kept at Niblo's in the 
city; the ice cream, ice punches and strawberries, 
could be got in New York, and the expense of the 
ride saved ; the few who did visit the cottage, found 
that Holland, the hospitable host of invited guests, 
was a different person from Holland the landlord — 
and though he had been always ready with his joke 
and repartee when entertaining friends at his own ex- 
pense, his feelings shrank from giving an expected 
anecdote with a glass of cream, or a ton mot with a 
bowl of punch. The speculation failed, and George 
Holland was compelled to go out into the world 
again. 

The veteran Cooper, Mr. Barton, and Mr. Holland, 
made a professional tour — giving entertainments in 
all the principal towns from Baltimore to New Or- 
leans. The anecdotes which might be related of this 
trip would fill a small volume. George gave loose to 
his love of fun, and the two tragedians were obliged 
to " stand it." 

My business connection with George Holland was 
a very pleasant one. We parted at the close of the 
season with mutual good feelings, and he proceeded 
to New Orleans, where he soon became the principal 
clerk of James H. Caldwell, about that time exten- 
sively engaged in starting his gas company. In 
after years Ave were thrown into antagonistic interests, 
but not for a moment did either of us entertain any 
but the most friendly feeling towards the other. In 



160 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

prosperity and adversity he adhered to the fortunes 
and misfortunes of Mr. Caldwell, until 1843, when 
that gentleman bade adieu to theatrical management. 
For a few months Mr. Holland traveled with Dr. 
Lardner, as his agent and manager ; and then attached 
himself to the Little Olympic, under manager Mitchell, 
where he remaided seven years, as great a favorite as 
New York ever knew. On the retirement of Mitchell 
from the management, in 1849, Holland accepted an 
engagement offered hini by Mr. Thomas Placide, man- 
ager of the "Varieties," New Orleans, where Jie en- 
joys a popularity never perhaps achieved by any 
other actor in the city. The summers of Mr. Holland 
are spent here in St. Louis, where he is deservedly 
esteemed both as an actor and a man. But to return 
to our narrative. 

The following is a list of our Montgomery stars : 
Mr. and Mrs. George Barrett, Mr. George Hill, and 
Miss Jane Placide. The season was a moderately 
good one, and closed on the 26th of April. 

Many — many anecdotes occur to my mind con- 
nected with this season. I am tempted to tell of a 
certain champagne party, which terminated in a very 
tall individual going to bed with his boots on ; but I 
forbear, out of the* great respect and good feeling 
I entertain for a certain personage, well known in 
theatrical circles by the nickname of " Gentleman 
George." He will understand all about it. Here I 
wind up the very brief outline of my journey-work in 
the campaign of 1833-4. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



MY LAST TRAVELING- CAMPAIGN. 

New Organization — List of Company — Journeying over old Ground 
— Losing Season in Augusta — Breach of the Rules and Regula- 
tions — A Manager for a Minute — Judging one's own case — The 
Golden Rule. 

A new organization of my forces was absolutely 
necessary. The past year's company was anything 
but one to be proud of. Falstaff refused to " march 
through Coventry" witli his company — I was de- 
termined I would no longer march through Georgia 
and Alabama with mine ; so repairing to New 
Orleans, the word was passed around that " recruits" 
were wanted for my last traveling campaign ; and a 
very short time sufficed to fill the list, which is here 
annexed : 

Mrs. Sol. Smith, Mrs. Gay, Mrs. Sullivan, Mrs. 
McDonald ; Messrs. J. M. Field, Spencer, C. W. 
Hunt, Langton, Gay, Washburn, Sullivan, Decius 
Rice, Flagg and Rutherford. Leader of the Or- 
chestra, H. C. Walsh. 

I note here the decease of Mr. J. Purdy Brown, 
manager of the Mobile Theatre, on the Tth June, 
1834, after an illness of only a few hours, caused, as 
it is supposed, by eating crabs for supper at a late 
hour. 

Conceiving that too many details of the business 
must tire the reader, (it certainly tires one to write 
14 (161) 



162 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

them,) I will confine myself to a very brief compen- 
dium of our proceedings during this year. 

The company was certainly better, by several 
degrees, than any which had preceded it in the 
circuit ; but the receipts fell far below those of 
previous seasons. 

At Montgomery, to begin with, we played two 
weeks; at Columbus four; Macon six; and then 
proceeded to Augusta, at the earnest request of 
many of the most respectable citizens. 

Here I leased the theatre for one year, and occu- 
pied it one month, losing in that month $1,000. 
The rent (§1,000) was secured by a mortgage on a 
lot in Macon, which was eventually sold to pay the 
same. Two years afterwards that lot was worth 
$11,000 ! So my month's management in Augusta 
was anything but profitable. 

Charles W. Hunt was a member of my company 
at the time. He was then a promising young actor, 
aspiring to establish himself as a low comedian ; but 
young as he was, and modest, I think the reader will 
agree with me, when he reads what follows, that he 
exhibited a degree of coolness under difficulties, 
worthy of an experienced veteran. 

On the very first night of the season, this Hunt 
got into a difficulty with a Mr. Sullivan, a fiery, 
trodden- down young tragedian. A fight ensued, 
which ended in the breaking of poor Hunt's arm. A 
fight behind the scenes being a most unusual occur- 
rence, in any well-regulated theatre, is always visited 
upon the party who is in the wrong, by the utmost ' 
rigor of the " rules and regulations;" either an im- 
mediate discharge, or a heavy penalty in the way of 



MY LAST TRAVELING CAMPAIGN. 163 

stoppage of salary, must be submitted to by the 
offender. Hunt stood in this predicament. He had 
brought the misfortune upon himself, and in an apolo- 
getic letter the next morning, he acknowledged his 
fault to the fullest extent ; but inasmuch as he was 
suffering for his indiscretion, and would be prevented, 
at least for several weeks, from appearing on the 
boards, my mind was made up at once to treat him 
with great leniency; in fact, I determined to say 
nothing at all about the affair, and permit him to 
rejoin the company whenever his arm should be 
healed. 

The season closed — so did the broken bone of 
Hunt's arm. The treasury was opened for the pay- 
ment of salaries for the final week in Augusta. As 
was my custom at that time, I attended personally to 
this ceremony. Piles of silver and bank notes were 
laid out before me on a table in the director's room — 
the receipt book was ready, and the clerk was directed 
to admit the performers, "one by one," to receive 
their salaries. The door was opened, and the first 
individual that appeared, was the broken-armed 
comedian, Hunt ! 

"Ah! is that you, Mr. Hunt ? Good morning" — 
thus I greeted him ; " glad to see you out ; arm quite 
well?" I asked. 

" Thank you, yes," he replied, taking a chair 
which I pointed to. " I have suffered greatly for my 
folly," he continued — "only catch me getting into a 
fight again, that's all !" 

"That's the right feeling, Mr. Hunt," I re- 
marked. " Such scenes are disreputable in every way. 
Let this be a lesson to vou." 



164 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

" It shall, most assuredly," promised the repentant 
comedian. The conversation here ceased, and I 
began to count over a " ten" pile, in hopes my 
visitor would take his leave and permit the payment 
of salaries to proceed, as I was in haste, intending to 
leave the city for Milledgeville the same afternoon. 
Finding the comedian did not exhibit the least sign 
of departure, after a few common-place observations 
respecting the fine weather for travelling, I ventured 
courteously to suggest that I should be happy to see 
him some other time, it being "salary day," and a 
busy one for me — the people waiting 

" Ye — es," replied Hunt — " salary day — that's just 
the reason I came in at this very time. My salary 
has been lying in the treasury during the whole 
season of four weeks ; and as we leave this afternoon, 
why I thought" 

" Your salary, Mr. Hunt !" I exclaimed, with 
some surprise — " I was not aware there was anything 
due you. If my memory serves me, everything was 
settled at the close of the season in Macon." 

"Decidedly," admitted Hunt; "everything was 
paid up — fair and square ; but it is this season's 
salary I speak of, and which I have called to receive." 

"My dear sir," I remonstrated — "you don't 
imagine, I hope, that you are entitled to salary 
during the time you have rendered no service ? Your 
hurt was not received in the performance of your 
professional duties — on the contrary you received it 
whilst engaged in a most unpardonable breach of the 
rules and regulations, which not only subjects you 
to a heavy fine, but renders you liable to an instant 



A MANAGES FOR A MINUTE. 165 

discharge, as you know and have admitted; and 

now" 

" That is all true," interrupted Mr. Hunt, 
« but" 



"Hear me through," I continued; "and now, 
instead of coming to ask leave to rejoin the company 
at Milledgeville, and perhaps ash a loan of a small 
sum, which very likely would not be refused, under 
the circumstances, it appears you intend to set up a 
claim for salary during your confinement. Am I 
right in supposing such to be your intention?" 

" Most indubitably you are," was my friend Hunt's 
reply — "that is," he continued — "so far as my 
claiming something in the way of salary, you are 
right. I do think you ought to allow me at least a 
'portion of the amount which would now be my due, 
had not this untoward accident happened. Gentle- 
men of the army receive half-pay when they are 
wounded or retire from service. What say you ? 
Let us compromise this matter — give me half salary 
for the four weeks, and we'll have no more words 
about it." 

The coolness of this proposition almost upset my 
temper. The rules and regulations which he had 
agreed to and signed, stipulated that "no salary 
should be received during sickness, or when no ser- 
vices were tendered;" and although I had always 
been in the habit of making some allowance in cases 
where performers received an injury while in the 
exercise of their duties in the theatre, I could not see 
the least reason why the treasury should be taxed in 
a case like this, where there had been a decided 
breach of the rules, and where the fault was acknow- 
14* 



166 



THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 



ledged to be on the side of the party now claiming 
salary. 

" I cannot admit this claim," I said, firmly. " I 
intended to reinstate you in your situation at the 
next town, considering that your sufferings had atoned 
for your fault ; moreover I now profess myself ready 
to loan you some money, if you stand in need of it, 
to enable you to settle up your bills here and travel 
to Milledgeville. This is all I can or will do." 

" Then I consider you act unjustly," replied Hunt, 
surlily, rising and taking his hat. " Here have I 
been suffering for a month, confined to my room, 
earning nothing, subjected to expenses of boarding, 
washing and surgical attendance, and now to be 
fobbed off without any salary for four weeks — really 
it is too" 

"Fobbed off?" I rejoined — " fobbed, sir? Is it 
not enough that I should be deprived of your services 
during the whole of the season — must I now be ac- 
cused of acting unjustly because I do not entertain 
3 r our absurd claim, and pay you for your improper 
conduct?" 

The discussion was waxing warm, and there ap- 
peared to be no chance of coming to an understand- 
ing ; the company were all waiting in the next room 
for their salaries. I became impatient, and at length 
proposed that we should call in two or three members 
of the company as arbitrators ; but to this Hunt ob- 
jected, saying that he thought he was capable of at- 
tending to his own affairs, and that he would not give 
up his own judgment for that of any person living ! 

"Well, then," I replied — " to your judgment and 
sense of justice I will submit the matter. Here, take 



JUDGING ONE'S OWN CASE. 167 

this seat. You shall be the manager — I the actor. 
You shall be judge in your own case." 

Mr. Hunt very readily took possession of the 
vacated chair, graciously remarking that my propo- 
sition convinced him that I was indeed the upright 
and just man he had always taken me to be. I felt 
quite confident that he would view the matter in a 
proper light, when he came to see it in all its proper 
bearings. 

Taking Hunt's late position in front of the table — 

"Mr. Manager," I began, "the season being 
ended, I have come to request that the outrage I com- 
mitted on the first night, and which has laid me up 
for a month, may not be in the way of my restoration 
to the company, inasmuch as I have suffered greatly 
from the serious hurt I received on that unfortunate 
occasion." 

" Yes, yes," replied manager Hunt, with a digni- 
fied wave of the hand, " that is all understood ; join 
us at Milledgeville, and let us have no more such 
scenes — they are disgraceful in the extreme. What 



more 



"Well, sir," continued I, still in the character of 
the suppliant invalid, " perhaps as I have been so 
great a sufferer, you may not think it unreasonable 
that I should ask some pecuniary accommodation ?" 

"It is but reasonable," replied the manager fro 
tern., promptly ; " that matter has been thought of. 
Have you no other request to make?" he inquired, 
turning round in the chair and taking up a pen. 

" Yes," I replied, hesitatingly, " I have been think- 
ing — though really I am almost ashamed to mention 
it — that possibly you might allow me half pay during 



168 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

my confinement ; in short, as it is a delicate matter, 
I leave it entirely to your own sense of justice to de- 
cide whether I shall receive anything from the trea- 
sury or not." 

"Ahem ! yes, I understand," said my locum tenens, 
casting a cursory glance over a copy of the rules and 
regulations which happened to lay before him, rivet- 
ing his eye for a moment at the particular section 
which had been violated, and uttering two or three 
emphatic " hems," he then proceeded slowly to pro- 
nounce judgment in the case, as follows : 

" Young man, you have done very wrong — very 
wrong indeed — but on the other hand, you have 
suffered very much — I am fully sensible how much ; 
therefore we will let that pass. The offence has car- 
ried its own punishment with it. I have already told 
you that you are restored to your situation. In re- 
gard to your application for pecuniary assistance, I 
scarcely know what to say. You speak of half pay. 
This, I am disposed to believe, would scarcely reach 
your merits — certainly not your necessities. Your 
rapid improvement in your profession has not been 
unnoticed by the management ; your conduct, with 
the single exception of the case under consideration, 
has been most exemplary ; your salary is not large — 
and in this connection I may say a small addition to 
your weekly income has been thought of; but the 
season has been so unpropitious that this is not the 
proper time to carry out my intentions concerning 
you — therefore, taking every point into consideration, 
and acting upon the principle of returning good for 
evil, which, as a good Christian, I feel impelled to do 
— there !" (with great composure selecting six of the 



THE GOLDEN RULE. 169 

ten-dollar piles before him, and magnanimously push- 
ing them, one by one, across the table,) " there, my 
boy, is the whole oe your salary, to date— sign 

the receipt." 

* -x- * * * 

The judgment was of course affirmed, when I re- 
sumed the managerial chair. Hunt pocketed his 
sixty dollars, and retired perfectly satisfied with his 
brief term of management, and I proceeded with the 
payment of salaries to the ladies and gentlemen who 
had been kept waiting by the enactment of this singu- 
lar scene. Hunt afterwards justified his proceeding, 
by saying he acted on the golden rule — " Do unto 
others as you would they should do unto you." 



CHAPTER XXX. 



Last Season in Milledgeville — Final Message to the Legislature. 

At Milledgeville, during the session of the legis- 
lature, we made a moderately successful season of 
seven weeks, I insert my benefit message, although 
it must be allowed "it took" better nineteen years 
ago than it possibly can now. Its effect at the time 
may be judged of by the fact that every member of 
the legislature made it a point to attend my benefit, 
or send his dollar. 

OLD SOL.'S MESSAGE, 
To both Houses of the Georgia Legislature. 

Gentlemen: — As the curtain is about to fall on our legislative and 
theatrical labors, it again becomes my duty to address you, before 
we both depart from the scenes of our official acts. 

In your two houses may be found almost as great a vai'iety as is 
seen in our house. You cannot be lacking in wisdom, for you 
have a Solomon and a Daniel. No one can doubt your ability to 
do your work well, for you are well provided with mechanics ; for 
instance you have a Taylor, 2 Bakers, a Wright, 3 Smiths, a Cooper, 
and a Chandler. You have sent away to Washington, a King, to do 
what formerly required a Troup to perform. Yet you retain one 
King among you, and a Prince writes down your doings. You 
have a Hall, and there you sit, Day and (K)night, (and sometimes 
Morrow,) surrounded by Bush, Woods, Groves, Graves, Fields and 
Rivers; and not content with what you can procure from your own 
Ho(l)mes, you have a Holland-er, two Moor{e)s, (besides a 3Ioor-ish. 
stenographer,) and one yet Wilder! Though there are no buyers 
among you, I am told that you have had plenty of Sellers. You 
have no riders, but can boast of two excellent Walkers. You have 

(170) ' 



ANOTHER, MESSAGE, AND THE LAST. 171 



a Hard{e)man-ivow. Oglethorpe, a Ilardman from Jasper, and a 
Little doctor from Wilkinson. Two of your number will never be 
too old for members, for they are sure to remain Young always. 
One member, (without deserving to be so,) is a Butt of the Senate, 
and another, tho' really a brave man, bears the name of a Cowart. 
While you unfortunately have but one Free-man among you, and 
but one who is Well-born. 

Notwithstanding this heterogenous mass of which your honora- 
ble body is composed, I am happy to say your proceedings have 
mostly met my approbation. It is true two or three times I was 
tempted to let off a Proclamation, a Veto, or a Protest at you, 
(I mean when you was about to " use up" Judge Hooper,) but per- 
haps " 'tis better as it is." 

Our sister State of South Carolina, I am glad to say, has 
settled her domestic difficulties, by each party agreeing to under- 
stand the oath of allegiance just as they each please, which agree- 
ment I have officially ratified ; and the happy effects of the com- 
promise are beginning to be apparent in the altered tone of the 
newspapers. 

In New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio and other states, 
elections have lately been held, and I now officially state to you, 
that in almost every instance those candidates who had a majority 
of votes were elected. 

A Mr. Thompson, from Great Britain, is lecturing in Massachu- 
setts, against slavery ; and as Negro slavery does not exist there, 
it is recommended that the philanthropic gentleman be invited to 
visit us at the south, where his labors would be properly appre- 
ciated and reivarded. 

The U. S. Bank seems to have received its final sentence, and 
must go down ; but to break its fall, and in a spirit of good feeling 
which I hope will always characterize men in high official stations, 
I have issued a circular to my Box Offices, directing that its bills 
and drafts be received in all payments due this department. 

You are aware that before we again meet in our official capacity, 
it will become the duty of our constituents to choose a governor. 
I have not made up my mind whether to give my voice for Groce or 
Davis. When I hear from Col. Crockett and Mrs. Royall on the 
subject, you shall know. 

An eclipse of the sun took place on the 30th ult, according to 
announcement, and was a well got up affair — the moon had a bit 
of an eclipse also, on the 15th inst., but it was rather a failure. 



172 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

Messrs. Garrison and Tappan seem to be losing ground at the 
north — it is recommended that they travel to the south for their 
health, where they would be presented with some essence of pine, 
which abounds in this region, and some goose feathers. 

Graves, the Indian murderer, (notwithstanding Judge Baldwin's 
citation,) has been hung — Hogg Smith, ditto. 

From foreign powers I continue to receive the most gratifying 
assurances of friendship, which it is our interest as well as wish 
to cultivate. Since my last message, my friend Don Pedro, after 
driving his illustrious brother, Hon Miguel, from the Portuguese 
throne, and placing his gracious daughter, Maria de Gloria, on it, 
has "left this stage of fools" — but before he made his final exit, 
he received the full reward of his " long enduring toils" — a most 
munificent token of affection from his royal child — payment in full 
of all demands — the order of fiddle-de-diddle-addleum ! ! ! My 
young friend the Queen writes me that the gift, bestowed in the 
very nick of time, (just as his Imperial Majesty was giving his 
last kick,) made the Royal Pedro go off in a paroxysm of gratitude 
and delight. In a P. S. the young Queen suggests that if we have 
any kings or princes here who can trace their ancestry a few gene- 
rations back of Noah, she has no objection to hear from them, 
previous to making up her royal mind on the many applications 
which have been made for her gracious hand. I have accordingly 
despatched a messenges with letters to Black Hawk, (who seemed 
to make a considerable impression on the Yankee ladies summer 
before last,) and when his answer is received, I will lay the corres- 
pondence before you. 

Don Carlos of Spain has applied to me for assistance against his 
august sister-in-law; but I conceive it to be our proper policy to 
abstain from all interference with the affairs of Spain at present — 
as Mr. Rothschild has lately been considerably bit by dabbling in 
Spanish stocks. 

" It becomes my unpleasant duty to inform you that this pacific 
and highly gratifying picture of our foreign relations, does not in- 
clude those with France at this time." The King of the French 
has neglected to plank up the amount of indemnitj* agreed on by 
treaty. For full particulars of this business, I refer you to the 
President's message. I deem this the proper course for myself, as 
Gen. Jackson might object to my interference in a "co-ordinate 
branch of the government." 

I must hasten over the other matters which it is necessary to 



ANOTHER MESSAGE, AND THE LAST. 173 

communicate to you : Yankee Hill has gone to New Orleans — the 
Wandering Piper is in town — Cotton bears a good price — the 
charter of the Darien Bank has been renewed — the gas lights are 
in successful operation at New Orleans — U. S. Bank stock is worth 
107 — the Dutch have taken Holland — Tecumseh is dead — Fanny 
Kemble is married to her Butler — I wish you a merry Christmas — 
and (now we come to the point) my benefit is to take place this 
evening. 

Done at the Executive Office of the Theatre, this 20th day of 
December, in the 59th year of American Independence, and of my 
management in Georgia the third. 

SOL. SMITH. 
[300 copies ordered to be printed.'] 



15 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

WINDING UP OF MY COUNTRY MANAGEMENT. 

Journey of three hundred Miles — Last season in Montgomery — 
Our leading Actor — Stars — Dawning of the Drama in Wetumpka 
— Visit to Hayneville — Orderly Audiences — Old Jack Barnes — 
Murder of Richard and Richmond — Comic Dance by a Marble 
Statue— What's trumps?— Debut of Mat. Field— End of my 
Country Management. 

Deciding to make direct for Montgomery, without 
stopping at Macon and Columbus, we made arrange- 
ments for our journey of three hundred miles, which 
we accomplished, after undergoing unheard-of hard- 
ships, in ten days, at an expense not much short of 
$1000, without reckoning the salaries of the company. 
At Caleba Swamp, we found about three thousand 
persons waiting for the mending of a bridge. If any 
one is curious to know some of the incidents at this 
"watering place," let him purchase J. M. Field's 
" Drama at Pokerville," and turn to the sketch 
entitled, "A Night in a Swamp." 

Opened at Montgomery on the 3d of January, 
1835, with the "Heir at Law" and " 'Tis All a 
Farce." Next night we played "Hamlet" and "My 
Aunt" — Hamlet, Mr. J. M. Field, who, the reader 
must know, had been during the preceding year 
" doing up" the leading business of tragedy very 
acceptably to the Georgians. I can never consider 
Mr. Field a great tragedian; but I do say that I 
have seen many much worse representatives of King 
(174) ' 



WINDING UP OF MY COUNTRY MANAGEMENT. 175 

Lear, Richard, Othello, Sir Griles Overreach, ShylocTc, 
and Hamlet, than he was at the time I am writing of. 
At this time he occasionally "goes on" for Claude 
Melnotte and Sir Thomas Clifford ; but the opinion 
seems to be quite prevalent among the "b-hoys" that 
"Jo had better stick to comedy." 

During this season, Mrs. Drake acted with us a 
starring engagement — so did Yankee Hill, and — last, 
not least — Henry J. Finn. I remember seeing him 
play Iago at the old Chatham Theatre in 1824. He 
was now a comedian — and such a comedian ! 

Urged by the citizens of Wetumpka, I sent my 
dramatic forces, under the temporary command of 
Brev. Gen. J. M. Field, to that remarkably primitive 
city, where a considerable business was done_jn_a„ 
billiard room, hastily transformed into a theatre, 
during a season of two weeks. Mr ^-Charles Mason, 
a nephew of John Kemble, played here three or four 
nights, to good houses. 

Hayneville, in the opposite direction, now claimed 
a visit; and in a large__room_in the academy, a little 
out of town, the drama shed forth its influences on 
audiences who gave no token whatever of their ap- 
preciation of our efforts. For twelve successive nights 
we exerted ourselves for their edification ; and to this 
day I am in utter ignorance whether our efforts were 
satisfactory or not — for not a hand of applause greeted 
us during the whole time ; neither did a smile — a laugh 
was out of the question — shed its ray, to cheer us on 
in our task. Yes — there was one attempt at a slight 
smile — indeed, I might say that a real jolly laugh 
was on the point of breaking out on one occasion ; 
but it was checked in its incipiency. It was during 



176 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

the performance of the "Hypocrite," Act V., where 
Mawworm mounts on a table behind a screen and 
gives an extemporaneous discourse, which on this par- 
ticular occasion was interlarded with some local hits, 
which actually took effect upon one tall fellow stand- 
ing in a corner near the stage. A premature " Ha ! 
ha ! h" — was just bursting out, when one of the 
deacons of the Presbyterian Church arose from a 
chair with great solemnity, and addressed the quasi 
disturber of the assembly thus : " Mr. Thompson, you 
must quit that or leave the meeting." Mr. Thompson 
"shut up." 

." Old Jack Barnes," with his wife, and daughter 
Charlotte, came to play an engagement towards the 
end of the season, in Montgomery, opening in the 
" School for Scandal," in the first scene of the second 
act of which, a fat negro wench, being told to hold up 
Miss Barnes' train until she got to the wing, followed 
that lady on the stage, and remained there, holding 
up the train, during the ceremony of reception, which, 
under the circumstances, was an uproarious one — and 
reluctantly leaving, with a low curtsy, only when Sir 
Peter (Mr. Barnes) told her that her services were no 
longer required. 

On one of "Yankee Hill's" nights, (with shame I 
confess it,) my name was associated with his in the 
committal of a horrid murder! — Richard and Ricli- 
onond being the characters in which we perpetrated 
the dreadful deed. 

► Our prompter's name was Gay. He performed old 
men, personated marble statues, and danced comic 
hornpipes. On one occasion, the performances end- 
ing with "Don Juan," in which Gay enacted the part 



WINDING UP OF MY COUNTRY MANAGEMENT. 177 

of the murdered governor on horseback, (a statue,) 
the audience demanded a comic dance before they 
would leave the house. 

"What is to be done?" asked Gay, in a piteous 
tone, the perspiration bursting out through the 
Spanish whiting on his face. " It will take at least 
a quarter of an hour to prepare for a dance !" 

"Not at all," replied I, promptly; " go on as you are." 

"What!" said Gay, "go on for a comic dance 
dressed as a marble statue?" 

" Yes — as the marble statue ; it will be all the 
more comic," — and up went the curtain. 

The audience relished the dance hugely; and I. 
must say that the marble statue, dancing to the tune 
of " a frog he would a-wooing go," was a most 
original and mirth-provoking affair. 

During the engagement of the Barnes', we per- 
formed the farce of " Three Weeks after Marriage." 
It will be remembered that there is in this piece a 
matrimonial quarrel about a game of cards. A fellow 
in the pit had listened to the dispute with much 
interest until the end of the first act, when, just 
before the fall of the drop, Sir Charles, in reply to 
his lady's invitation to go to bed, exclaims — " I'll not 
go to bed with any woman who don't know what's 
trumps." The man in the pit got up in utter sur- 
prise, and said, in a tone loud enough to be heard by 
the whole house — "Well, you're a cursed fool to 
quarrel about such a trifle! Blast me if I wouldn't 
confess to the diamond, and go to bed!" The drop 
scene again rose, and soon the newly married couple 
were engaged in their dispute about the game of 
whist, and to convince his wife of her error, Sir 



178 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

Charles went up to the table and dealt out the cards. 
The man in the pit called out and asked "what's 
trumps?" Sir Charles just at that moment said 
" clubs!" and his lady "diamonds!" which appeared 
to be answers to his question; whereupon the auditor 
took up his hat and made for the door, exclaiming — 
" I shan't wait any longer ; they've been quarrelling 
here for half an hour about clubs and diamonds — I 
don't see as there's any likelihood of their coming to 
an understanding, so I'll go; it's getting late." This 
speech elicited a round of applause from the pit. 
Turning as he was about passing through the opening 
into the passage, he addressed Sir Charles and Lady 
Rachett — "young people, you'd better make up that 
little difficulty and let the play go on — it's of mighty 
little consequence what was trumps ; make it up and 
go to bed!" Then looking up at the audience, who 
were roaring with laughter, he made a low bow, and 
retired from sight, lit a cigar at a lamp in the passage, 
shook the door-keeper by the hand, and walked off. 

Matthew Field, who afterwards became a good actor, 
and somewhat celebrated as a writer, (under his own 
name and that of Phazma,) made his first appearance 
on any stage in Montgomery as ITemeya, in the trage- 
dy of the "Apostate," Mrs. A. Drake performing 
Florinda. The debut was a successful one ; but the 
"last scene of all in that eventful tragedy" was ren- 
dered somewhat ludicrously. If the reader is not 
aware of the fact, I must inform him that Mrs. Drake 
is what we term a heavy actress — (how well I remember 
her a slim young girl in Albany, thirty-eight years 
ago !) — and Florinda dies and falls beside Hemeya at 
the close of the piece. Mat. Field had got through 



WINDING UP OF MY COUNTRY MANAGEMENT. 179 

his troubles, and lay dead and stiff, congratulating 
himself on the success he had met with on his first 
attempt at acting, when he suddenly perceived that 
Mrs. D. was preparing for " a fall " in the immediate 
vicinity of his own resting place. I was watching 
Mrs. D.'s splendid death, and it must be confessed that 
poor Mat. did appear in considerable danger of being 
fallen upon by the poisoned Florinda. At first there 
were sundry twitchings of the arms and legs of the 
dead Hemeya, then as the body of the devoted Flo- 
rinda was seen actually descending, a sudden spring of 
her lover's corpse placed it out of danger, and there 
they both lay, " faithful to each other even in death." 
When Mat. found that he was not crushed, it seemed 
to occur to him that it was not altogether proper or 
picturesque to turn his back to the lady; so he very 
deliberately turned over, and stretching forth his dead 
arms, encircled her with them in a loving embrace, the 
curtain falling on the picture. 

Mary Vos (afterwards Mrs. Stewart) performed a 
few nights, " previous to her departure for the east- 
ern cities." This excellent actress and estimable wo- 
man is still a great favorite in Mobile, where she has 
reared and educated two lovely daughters, who, if they 
essay the stage, are destined to make a sensation in 
the theatrical world. 

The season and my " country management," ended 
on the 10th of June, 1835, with my benefit, which was 
very largely attended, notwithstanding the extremely 
hot weather; my Montgomery friends, without resort- 
ing to the humbug of a "complimentary," filling the 
house to its utmost capacity, and cheering me with 
their shouts and kindly greetings to the last. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

GOING NORTH. 

Starring inSt. Louis and Cincinnati — Stage Coach traveling through 
Ohio — Postmaster General in disguise — New York and Philadel- 
phia — Return to Alabama — End of the Journey- Work. 

Negociations, pending for some months, had result- 
ed in an arrangement which was to sink my manage- 
rial individuality in a " firm " destined to exist, as it 
now appears, for eighteen years, wielding an influence 
in theatrical matters unequalled in the States. In the 
following fall this arrangement was to go into opera- 
tion at Mobile. In the interim, it was necessary that 
I should "go north" to pick up a company and en- 
gage stars. A glance at this northern trip must con- 
clude my "Journey- Work." 

Leaving my wife and children in a snug little cot- 
tage at Harrowgate Springs, near Wetumpka, I start- 
ed on my northern journey, in company with Mr. J. 
M. Field, about the middle of June, passing through 
Mobile and New Orleans, joining in a celebration of 
the 4th of July on board the steamer "Warren" on 
the way, and arriving at St. Louis, where we had an 
engagement, early in July. Here I was welcomed in 
the good old-fashioned way, and had a good benefit. 

Mr. Field opened in " Richard the Third," and was 
quite successful. 

Cincinnati was our next town. Mr. Field was 

well known here, and was warmly received, though 

there was some little talk to the effect that they liked 

his comedy better than his tragedy. His benefit was 

(180) 



GOING NORTH. 181 



a very fine one. For myself, falsifying the saying 
that a prophet is not "without honor except in his own 
country, the people seemed determined to shower 
honors "thick upon me ;" and my benefit — it was 
a " crowder." Mr. Field and I here took differ- 
ent routes, he proceeding to Buffalo, where I believe 
he played, (afterwards filling an engagement at Bal- 
timore,) while I went on to head-quarters — New 
York. 

On my way, in company with several gentlemen of 
New Orleans, it happened that the stage in which we 
were passengers, stopped for supper at a small vil- 
lage, situated between the towns of Columbus and 
Zanesville, on the Cumberland road, in the State of 
Ohio. 

There was a great gathering of militia captains, 
lieutenants, ensigns, sergeants, and corporals, with a 
considerable sprinkling of privates, all of whom had 
been exhibiting their patriotism during the day, by 
marching up and down the road, shouldering arms, 
carrying arms, presenting arms, and charging bayo- 
nets, preparatory to intended hostile operations 
against the neighboring State of Michigan, the 
authorities of which, and those of the State of Ohio, 
were at open war — almost — about boundary. 

For the purpose of amusement, it hSd been agreed 
that the stage driver should be informed confiden- 
tially, that I was Amos Kendall, Postmaster Gene- 
ral of the United States, travelling in disguise, and 
assuming the very common name of Smith, in order 
to discover abuses in the mail transportation depart- 
ment. With many mysterious hints, and under strict 
charges of secrecy, Jehu was made acquainted with 



182 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

the awful fact, that he was actually driving the im- 
portant individual above named. The reins almost 
fell from his hands ! " What, Mr. Kindle ! Amos 
Kindle!" exclaimed the astonished driver — "it can't 
be possible?" "It is possible," answered the gentle- 
man who was imparting the information, and who was 
enjoying a cigar and an outside seat; "and it is his 
wish to be entirely private, in order to avoid the at- 
tentions that would otherwise be lavished upon him." 
The driver promised the most inviolable secrecy, and 
on our arrival at the stopping place, after bowing me 
into the house with much ceremony, proceeded to 
curry down his horses. 

We had not been long in the hotel, before it was 
plainly perceptible that something was going on ; 
curious glances were thrown into the bar-room where 
we were sitting — -militia officers flitted about and col- 
lected into groups — the landlord and his family began 
to spruce up ; in brief, it was evident our secret had 
been confidentially imparted to half the village. 

The first demonstration that was made, consisted 
of an invitation to my friends and myself to accept 
the use of a private parlor. This being at once agreed 
to, the landlord ventured to suggest that, if it was not 
disagreeable to me, my fellow-citizens of the village 
would like to pay their respects to me, and take me 
by the hand. 

"No objections in the world," said I; "let the 
worthy citizens come in." 

Then followed a scene of the richest kind of fun ; 
but Dickens has described a similar adventure, and I 
pass on. 

Supper was announced. I was placed at the head 



POSTMASTER GENERAL IN DISGUISE. 183 



of the table — the richest viands and nicest kinds of 
preserved fruits were set in profusion before us. We 
feasted — and during the operation numerous female 
heads, or rather heads of females — were continually 
popping in at the windows and open doors, while the 
piazza was filled with boys of all sizes, who amused 
themselves by firing off Chinese crackers, sending up 
young rockets, and shouting " hurra for Jackson ! — 
and his cabinet !" 

Supper over, we retired to the bar, and demanded 
our bill of expenses. The landlord smilingly answered, 
that he was too happy to entertain us without com- 
pensation — he felt honored by my sitting at his board, 
and my friends were equally welcome. After much 
urging, I consented to receive his hospitality, since 
he insisted on it, but my friends, I would not consent 
that they should feast at his expense — oh, no ! They 
must be allowed to pay for their splendid supper. 
Well, if I insisted, he would take pay from them — 
and he did. 

" Could I say two or three words to you in pri- 
vate ?" asked the landlord, in a low voice, as he 
walked by my side towards the coach, which was 
waiting. 

"By all means," I replied; and he led me a little 
on one side, into a dark part of the piazza. After 
two or three hems ! to clear his throat, the landlord 
commenced: 

" Whatever others may think of you, sir, /consider 
you an honest man." 

" Sir, I feel very much obliged by the favorable 
estimate you have formed of me." 

" Yes, sir, let the opposition say what they please, 



184 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

I believe you to be a conscientious individual — I 
do." 

" Well, sir, considering this is the first time we 
have ever met, I must say your liberality is extraor- 
dinary ; but I thank you for your good opinion." 

"Ah, sir, though we have never met, I know you 
well — we all know you for a most efficient officer, and 
a deserving man." 

" It is true I am tolerably well known in the 
western and southern country, and as for my efficiency, 
I believe I do push ahead about as hard as a man con- 
veniently can." 

" That you do — all parties must acknowledge it. 
You have effected many improvements in your depart- 
ment." 

" Yes, I flatter myself that in the stage department 
I have made some improvements." 

"Your removals have met with general approval in 
this part of the country." 

" Removals? — Oh, yes — I do travel a great deal." 

" Yes, you do, and to some purpose. Now I wanted 
to speak to you about the postmaster here." 

" Indeed ! Well what of Mm V* 

"Are you not aware that he is a whig ?" 

"No!— is he?" 

" Yes, he is — and it is thought by the friends of the 
administration here, that lie ought to be removed, 
and a good democrat appointed." 

" What is the office worth ?" 

"About $500 a year." 

"Who would be a proper person for the office?" 

" Why, I couldn't exactly say — but if" — . 

" Would you accept the appointment?" 



AN OFFICE SEEKER. 185 

" Most -willingly, if you should think me worthy." 

" Well, I'll tell you what you'd better do. Write 
on to the department — state the matter as you've 
stated it to me, and perhaps" — 

" If you would just make a memorandum it would 
be sufficient." 

" My dear sir, don't depend on anything that 
passes between us here — here I am Sol. Smith, as you 
may see by the way-bill ; but at Washington — you 
understand" — 

" Yes, I understand. Then I'll write on to the 
department." 

"Yes — write." 

" Sir, I shall depend on your good offices." 

" Sir, you may — your supper was excellent, your 
attentions shall not be forgotten — farewell — write on 
to the department, by all means." 

The worthy aspirant to the postmastership of the 
village accompanied me to the coach, carefully turned 
up the steps when I had entered, and then joined his 
fellow-citizens in three loud cheers, with which our 
departure was honored. 

My engagement at the Park Theatre, although I 
was wedged in between the nights of the Woods, was 
moderately profitable to the management and myself. 
This engagement led to offers from Boston, Philadel- 
phia, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and many smaller towns, 
all of which, for want of time, I was compelled 
reluctantly to decline, except that from Phila- 
delphia, which I was enabled to accept, because I 
could perform alternate nights in that city and New 
York ; which I did during a period of two weeks. 
My engagement at the Yfalnut Street Theatre, Phila- 

16 



186 THEATRICAL JOURNEY-WORK. 

delphia, closed on the 25th,' and that at the Park 
Theatre, New York, on the 26th of September. 

Embarking on the steamer " Columbia," I in due 
time arrived at Charleston, S. C, and proceeded by 
railroad and stage, (three nights without sleep,) to 
Montgomery. Taking my family on board the 
" Roanoke" at Wetumpka, we were safely conveyed 
to Mobile, where I superintended the preparations 
for commencing the greatest season ever made in that 
city. 

This brings my narrative — sketchy and meagre as 
it is — down to the year 1835 ; and here I stop. 
Though constantly on the move ever since, and exer- 
cising no small influence on theatrical affairs in the 
great western valley, my "strolling," or "journey- 
work," as I have chosen to term it, terminated at this 
date. Doubtless an anecdotical sketch of my manage- 
rial experience in New Orleans, St. Louis and Mobile, 
during the past eighteen years, might possess some 
interest ; but I feel no disposition, at present, even in 
my light and skimming way, to go over the scenes from 
which I have so lately emerged. The building and 
burning of many theatres ; the engagement of nume- 
rous "stars;" the rise and progress of the drama in 
the south and west ; the various attempts of individ- 
uals to become "managers," and their miserable 
failures ; the "starring system," with its train of evil 
consequences to the profession ; the attempts of " His- 
trionic Associations" to teach the art of acting ; the 
humbuggery of newspaper puffing and newspaper 
abuse; the outrageous system of "free admissions" 
to theatres — all these subjects (with many others) 
claim and may receive my attention — but not now. 



ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 



GIVING ENTERTAINMENTS. 

Harry Langton was the theatrical name of a very 
honest, tolerably talented, and very eccentric fellow, 
who, for several years was attached to the stage in 
the south. He was a worthy individual — a useful 
member of a company of actors, and was beloved by 
every one who knew him ; yet he was cursed with one 
failing — he would drink! Well, he is gone, now, 
and we will think only of his good qualities, which 
were numerous, and endeavor to amuse ourselves with 
his eccentricities. 

I have elsewhere mentioned the fact, that being 
pushed for means whereby to live, he engaged him- 
self to the keeper of a museum in Pittsburgh, where 
he stood up in a glass case for two mortal hours as the 
ivax figure of Cfen. Jackson I I intend, in this sketch, 
to give some other instances of his versatility of 
talent, by the exercise of which he overcame tempo- 
rary pecuniary difficulties. 

Harry Langton never let an opportunity slip of 
giving an entertainment where there was the least 
chance of success. Sometimes, indeed, I have known 
him to propose "trying it on," at places where the 
chance of profit was anything but flattering. Travel- 

(187) 



188 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

ing in a stage coach, he was always looking out for 
eligible villages for his purpose, and I recollect that 
on one occasion, he seriously proposed to issue bills 
for an " entertainment" at a place where we stopped 
to water the horses, though nothing in the shape of a 
dwelling could be seen, except a shanty of a stable ! 

" Why, Harry," one asked, " where do you expect 
your audience to come from ?" 

" Oh !" was his ready reply, " there are plenty of 
people hereabouts, somewhere, I'm certain, for I've 
seen lots of cattle as we came along, and they've got 
owners, be sure on't : let us put out some bills and 
" try it on !" 

In two instances it has been my fate to assist, 
(much against my will,) in poor Langton's entertain- 
ments. 

In the fall of 1830, the boat which conveyed the 
New Orleans company, on its way from Nashville to 
its winter destination, stopped a few hours at the 
then inconsiderable village of Vicksburgh. Langton 
was on the look-out, of course, and after taking a 
view of the town, came in, rubbing his hands, and 
with his face flushed with hope — 

" Sol.," said he, "here's a glorious chance for an 
entertainment ! Theatre can be had — people all 
anxious; if the boat would only wait" — 

" But the boat ivont wait," I replied, "the cap- 
tain has just told me he starts in half an hour, posi- 
tively." 

"I think he might be induced," persisted Langton. 
" It is now four o'clock — we can have the town billed 
in an hour, and we can put a hundred dollars in our 



GIVING ENTERTAINMENTS. 189 

pockets just as easy as nothing. What do you say to 
trying it on ?" 

" What do _Tsay ? I say it's all nonsense, even if the 
boat would wait ; you could not get twenty people to 
the theatre at such short notice ; besides, you are an 
entire stranger here — nobody has ever heard of 
you." 

" That's very true," he answered, nodding his head 
knowingly, " but they all know you — you have acted 
here." 

" To be sure I have," I answered, "but you don't 
expect me to make a fool of myself in your proposed 
entertainment ?" 

" Make a fool of yourself? — not at all; but I ex- 
pect you to make fifty dollars? Come, old fellow," 
he continued, beseechingly, " give us a lift — there are 
four of us going into the speculation, and we propose 
to give you half the receipts, if you will but permit 
your name to be used, and sing three songs." 

"My dear fellow," I remonstrated, "I can't think 
of it — besides, the captain won't wait, and, moreover, 
my wardrobe is at the bottom of the hold, and cannot 
be got at. Your offer is very tempting, certainly, 
[half the receipts ! — Macready's terms !] but put this 
entertainment out of your head." 

" The captain will wait, and has already promised 
to wait, till ten o'clock; so it all depends on you. As 
for wardrobe, I'll lend you a red wig and a pair of 
striped stockings. Come, old fellow, if you don't 
want to make a little money, we do ; and it all de- 
pends on you whether we are enabled to do it or 
not." 

After some further holding back on my part, and 
16* 



190 ANECDOTIC AL RECOLLECTIONS. 

considerably more urging on that of Langton, I con- 
sented to sing two songs, provided sufficient notice 
could be given to the inhabitants that the entertain- 
ment would take place. 

" Leave the notice entirely to me," said Langton, 
as he vanished over the plank, and up into town 
through the mud. 

Langton " won my slow consent" about sundown. 
I had hopes that when he found the difficulty of light- 
ing the house, and giving notice to the citizens, he 
would give up the project altogether. Not so — Lang- 
ton was not the man to be staggered by slight diffi- 
culties — the entertainment must be given — doors open 
at 7 — curtain to rise at half-past, and "no postpone- 
ment on account of the weather." 

After tea, without much devotion to the deed, I 
assure you — putting a wig and a pair of comic stock- 
ings in my pocket, I trudged off towards the theatre. 
On my way, (in the dark,) a negro bellman, who was 
the town crier, stopped at a corner as I was passing, 
and after shaking his bell for nearly a minute, put me 
out of all doubt in regard to the " notice" which was 
to be given of the proposed entertainment by pro- 
mulgating, in a loud voice, the following proclama- 
tion : 

" Oh yes ! Oh yes ! Oh yes ! Everybody take 
particular notice hereby, dat Ole Sol has come back 
to dis here burg, on his w T ay to New Orleans, and 
moreover will exhibit hisself dis night at de the-a-tur 
as large as life ! So dis is to certify dat you must 
all come and see him by particular desire for dis night 
only ! Oh yes ! Oh yes ! Oh yes !" 

I felt willing, at that moment, to sink into the mud, 



GIVING ENTERTAINMENTS. 191 

even further than I had sunk, while listening to this 
proclamation, provided I could have availed myself of 
such an accident, as an excuse for not " exhibitin' " 
myself pursuant to notice. However, I was " in for it" 
in more senses than one. I was engaged, and on star- 
ring terms ! So I waded to the theatre, where I 
found Langton and his associates lighting candles, 
selling tickets, and sweeping off the stage, prepara- 
tory to the grand entertainment. The house was tol- 
erably well filled. " Sylvester Daggerwood" was the 
drama performed on this memorable occasion ; two 
songs by your humble servant, and some recitations 
by the "rest of the company," completed the pro- 
gramme, and I returned to the boat, declining to take 
my share of the 'proceeds, and made a solemn deter- 
mination never to be coaxed into such a scrape 
again. 

" But who shall control his fate ?" 

I was again seduced to do the very same thing on 
another occasion, and by the self same Langton. 

It was at the little town of Benton, on the Ala- 
bama river, in 1832, that Langton saw a fine oppor- 
tunity for giving an entertainment. (We were again 
traveling together.) The seducing villain made use 
of the very same arguments he had urged so success- 
fully at Yicksburg ; the boat would wait — the people 
were so anxious to see me ! — such a crowd would be 
in attendance — fifty dollars, at least, he would be 
able to put into his pocket, and he was so in need of 
money — he was sure I couldn't have the heart to pre- 
vent his making such a handsome sum. I consented. 

The room selected for the " entertainment" was 



192 ANBCDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

exactly fourteen feet square. It was filled to overflow- 
ing, and we were obliged to give our songs and recita- 
tions on a table, set outside of a window ! 

The only remarkable part of this performance was 
this : Langton gave the comic recitations and songs, 
while I gave the tragic recitations and sentimental 
songs ! 

By this queer entertainment, given through a 
window, Langton cleared over $40. 

Poor Langton ! He went to Texas in the beginning 
of the war of independence, and I have never seen 
him since. 

In his last letter to me, giving a portion of his 
travel's history, he began by expressing his belief 
that I would find no difficulty in calling him to my 
remembrance— shall I ever forget him ? — said he had 
just returned from giving an entertainment in one of 
the Camanche villages, on the northern frontier, 
where he narrowly escaped scalpation ; and concluded 
with the following sentence : 

" Sol., if you'll come to Texas, we'll make our for- 
tunes — glorious chances here for giving entertain- 
ments — come out !" 



BREAKING A BANK. 

Captain Summons is a very clever fellow — and the 
" Dr. Franklin " was a very superb boat, albeit in- 
clined to rock about a good deal, and nearly turn 
over on her side when visited by a breath of air in 
the least resembling a gale. Capt. Summons is a 



BREAKING A BANK. 193 

clever fellow. All steamboat captains are clever 
fellows — or nearly all ; but w T hat I mean to sa y is, 
Capt. Summons is a 'particularly clever fellow ! — 
a clever fellow in the w r idest sense of the term — a 
fellow that is clever in every way — anxious that his 
passengers shall be comfortably bestowed, well fed 
and well attended to — and determined that they shall 
amuse themselves "just as they d — n please," as the 
saying is. If he happens to have preachers on board, 
he puts on a serious countenance of a Sunday morn- 
ing — consents that there shall be preaching — orders 
the chairs to be set out, and provides bibles and 
hymn-books for the occasion — himself and officers, 
whose watch is below, taking front seats and listening 
attentively to the discourse. Likely as not, at the 
close of the service, he will ask the reverend gentle- 
man who has been officiating, with his back in close 
proximity to a hot fire in a Franklin furnace, to ac- 
company him to the bar and join him in some refresh- 
ments ! If there are passengers on board who prefer 
to pass the time away in playing poker, eucre, brag or 
whist, tables and chairs are ready for them, too — 
poker, brag, eucre and whist be it ! All sorts of pas- 
sengers are accommodated on the Dr. Franklin — the 
rights of none are suffered to be infringed ; — all are 
free to follow such employments as shall please them- 
selves. A dance in the evening is a very common 
occurrence on this boat, and when cotillions are on 
the carpet, the captain is sure to be thar. 

It sometimes happens that, at the commencement 
of a voyage, it is found somewhat difficult to recon- 
cile all the passengers to the system of Capt. Sum- 
mons, which is founded on the broad principle of 



194 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

equal rights to all. On the occasion of my voyage 
in the "Doctor," in December, 1844, 1 found myself 
surrounded by a crowd of passengers who were en- 
tire strangers to me — a very rare occurrence "to one 
who travels so often on the western rivers as I do. I 
wished my absence from New Orleans to be as brief 
as possible, and the "Doctor" was the fastest boat 
in port at the time of my leaving the Crescent City ; 
so I resolved to secure a berth in her, and trust in 
luck to find a St. Louis boat at the Mouth. 

I don't know how it is, or why it is, but by 
strangers I am almost always taken for a Preacher. 
It was soon this voyage. There were two Metho- 
dist circuit riders on board ; and it happened that we 
got acquainted, and were a good deal together — from 
which circumstance I was supposed to be one of them; 
which supposition was the means of bringing me into 
an acquaintance with the lady passengers, w T ho, for 
the most part, were very pious, religiously inclined 
souls. We had preaching every day, and sometimes 
at night ; and I must say, in justice to brothers 
Twitchel and Switchell, that their sermons were 
highly edifying and instructive. 

In the meantime a portion of the passengers " at 
the other end of the hall " continued to play sundry 
games with cards, notwithstanding the remonstrances 
of the worthy followers of Wesley, who frequently 
requested the captain to interfere and break up such 
unholy doings. The captain had but one answer — it 
was something like this ; "Gentlemen, amuse yourselves 
as you like ; preach and pray to your hearts' content 
— none shall interfere with your pious purposes ; some 
like that sort of thing — I have no objection to it. 



BREAKING A BANK. 195 

These men prefer to amuse themselves with cards ; let 
them — they pay their passage as well as you, gentle- 
men, and have as much right to their amusement as 
you have to yours, and they shall not be disturbed. 
Preach, play cards, dance cotillions — do what you like, 
I am agreeable; only understand, that all games, 
(preaching among the rest) must cease at 10 o'clock." 
So we preachers got very little comfort from Captain 
Summons. 

Up, up, up, up we went. Christmas Day arrived. 
All the other preachers had holden forth on divers 
occasions, and it being ascertained that it was my in- 
tention to leave the boat on her arrival at Cairo, a 
formal request was preferred, that I should preach 
the Christmas sermon ! The ladies, (God bless them 
all !) were very urgent in their applications to me. 
" Oh do, brother Smith ! we want to hear you preach ! 
All the others have contributed their share to our 
spiritual comfort — you must oblige us — indeed you 
must." I endeavored to excuse myself the best way 
I could, alleging the necessity of my leaving the boat 
in less than an hour — my baggage was not ready — I 
had a terrible cold, and many other good and sub- 
stantial reasons were given ; but all in vain — preach 
I must. "Well," thinks I, " if I must, I must." At 
this crisis, casting my eyes down towards the Social 
Hall, and seeing an unusual crowd assembled around 
a table, I asked one of the brethren what might be 
going on down there ? The fattest of the preaching 
gentlemen replied — " The poor miserable sinners have 
filled the measure of their iniquity by opening a 
faro bank !" " Horrible ! exclaimed I, holding up 
my hands— and " horrible !" echoed the ladies and 



196 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

missionaries in full chorus. " Cannot such doings be 
put a stop to?" asked an elderly lady, addressing the 
pious travellers. "I fear not." groaned my metho- 
dist contemporary, (the fat one.) " We have been 
trying to convince the captain that some dreadful ac- 
cident will inevitably befall the boat, if such proceed- 
ings are permitted — and what do you think he an- 
swered ?" " What ?" we all asked, of course — " Y\ r hy, 
he just said, that, inasmuch as he permitted us to 
preach and pray, he should let other passengers dance 
and play, if they chose to do so ; and that if I didn't 
like the "proceedings" I complained of, I might leave 
the boat ? Yes — he did ; and, moreover, he mentioned 
that it was 11 o'clock, and asked me if, I wouldn't 
'liquor!'" This announcement of the captain's 
stubborness and impiety was met with a general 
groan of pity and sorrow, and we resumed the con- 
versation respecting the unhallowed faro bank. " It 
is much to be regretted," remarked the elderly lady 
who had spoken before, "that something can't be 
done — Brother Smith," she continued, appealing di- 
rectly to me, and laying her forefinger impressively 
upon my arm, "cannot you break up that bank ?" 
"Dear Madam," I answered, "you know not the 
difficulty of the task you impose upon me, — faro 

BANKS ARE NOT SO EASILY BROKEN UP as you may 

imagine ; however, as you all appear so anxious about 
it, if you'll excuse me from the sermon, I'll see what 
can be done." " Ah ! that's a dear soul !" — " I knew 
he would try " — "he'll be sure to succeed!" — "out- 
prayers shall not be wanting !" Such were the ex- 
clamations that greeted me as I moved off towards the 
faro bank. Elbowing my way into the crowd, I got 



BREAKING A BANK. 197 



near the table in front of the dealer, and was for a 
time completely concealed from the view of my pious 
friends near the door of the ladies' cabin. I found 
the bank was a small affair. The betters were risking 
trifling sums, ranging from six to twenty-five cents. 

" Mr. Dealer," I remarked, " I have come to break 
up this bank." "The deuce you have!" replied the 
banker — "let's see you do it." "What amount have 
you in bank?" I inquired. "Eleven dollars," was 
his answer. "What is your limit?" asked I. "A 
dollar," he replied. " Very well," said I, placing a 
ragged Indiana dollar behind the Queen — "turn on." 
He turned and the King won for me. I took the two 
dollars up and let him make another turn, when I re- 
placed the bet, and the Queen came up in my favor 
— I had now four dollars, which I placed in the 
square, taking in the 5, 6, 7 and 8 — and it won again ! 
Here were seven dollars of the banker's money. I 
pocketed three of them, and bet four dollars behind 
the Queen again — the Jack won, and the Bank was 
broken ! The crowd dispersed in all directions, 
laughing at the breaking up of the petty bank, and I 
made my way towards the ladies' cabin, where my 
new friends were anxiously awaiting the result of my 
bold attempt. "Well, well, well," they all exclaimed 
— " What success ? — have you done it ? Do let us 
hear all about it !" I wiped the perspiration from 
my brow, and putting on a very serious face, I said 
solemnly: "I have broken that bank!" "You 
have?" they all exclaimed. — "Yes, I'll be d — d if he 
hasn't !" muttered the disappointed gamester, the 
keeper of the late bank, who was just going into his 
state-room. In the midst of the congratulations which 

17 



198 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

were showered upon me, I received a summons from 
the captain to come forward with my baggage — we 
were at Cairo. 



A HOG STORY. 

There are extant any number of dog, horse, cat, rat, 
and fish stories. I am going to write a Hog Story. 
It may not interest the reader, but, I assure you, the 
circumstance on which it is founded interested me for 
a whole month, and even now, whenever the recollec- 
tion of it crosses my memory, feelings of remorse pun- 
ish me considerably. 

Reader, have you ever traveled through that beau- 
tiful tract of country, situated around, about, and be- 
tween the small lakes in York State ? If you have 
not, you have seen nothing. Ask Mr. Knickerbocker 
Clarke if there is such a country in the world ! Ask 
him if the valleys and hills through which run the 
Housatonic, the Otselic, Trout Creek, and the Chittin- 
ingo, have their equals in Italy or Switzerland. Ask 

him if but "there's no use talking." I was born 

up about there, and of course I am partial to those 
diggins. I can't help it. But to my story. 

On the Cayuga lake, east side, stands a beautiful 
village, which is happy in the name of Aurora. One 
mile north of that lovely village lived, in 1817, a sub- 
stantial farmer named Stott. With this Stott, a 
most worthy man, the writer of this engaged to work 
in the harvest field one month for six bushels of wheat ; 
each bushel of wheat was estimated to be worth one 



A HOG STORY. 199 



dollar — so that I had six dollars in prospect at the 
end of the month ; and with those six dollars, added 
to five I had in my pocket, I intended to journey to the 
great West, then a great distance off. 

I went to work like a good fellow, mowing and 
raking hay, binding up wheat, and making myself useful 
in various ways — happy all the time, and joyous as the 
fish that sported in the smooth and clear lake in which 
we harvesters bathed every evening after sunset; de- 
lighted with the prospect of a rich reward for my labor, 
and dreaming of the "Far West," the goal of my 
hopes and wishes, (then situated about Pittsburg — now, 
away off to and over the Rocky Mountains!) and 
glorying in the thought, that I, a boy of sixteen, would 
be the pioneer of the great Smith family in the western 
regions. 

All went on smoothly. One day, as I was pitching 
bundle by bundle, a load of wheat into the mow, I 
saw enter the barn, rooting and grunting along, a very 
large, fat, lazy, long-eared sow. I can't to this day 
account for the devilish feeling which induced, me with- 
out a thought, to throw the pitchfork into this unof- 
fending old creature ; but I did it ! — instantly did it. 
The handle was scarcely out of my hand before I re- 
pented of the deed ; and in less than three minutes I 
was wondering what could have prompted me to such 
an act. Ah ! many — very many hours, in the stillness 
of night, did I lie upon a sleepless couch and ruminate 
upon my crime. Bitter tears of repentance trickled 
down my youthful cheeks. Sinner that I was ! 
What had the poor beast done to deserve such a fate ? 

The poor, surprised sow gave a horrible squeal, (I 
hear it now !) and ran with all her might out of the 



200 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

barn and out of the yard — the pitchfork still sticking 
in her quivering pork. The instrument of torture was 
afterwards found about three hundred yards from the 
place where the fatal deed was committed; but the old 
sow — the unoffending, innocent old sow — had disap- 
peared in the thick undergrowth of a neighbouring 
wood and had doubtless ended her days in solitude, 
with no pitying relative near to close her eyes, or 
render the last sad offices to the dying innocent. 

As for me, the perpetrator of the horrid crime, what 
a month did I pass? My mind was tortured with 
horrible images of ghastly hogs bristling up before me. 
The poor old murdered sow actually appeared before 
my half waking and half closed eyes, dressed in a 
shrOud, walking on her hinder legs, shaking her right 
paw into my face, and pointing with her left, with 
a " most piteous action," to two bleeding pitchfork 
wounds in her ribs ! In vain I tried to shake off these 
fantasies; the more I shook, the more they wouldn't 
go. I was miserable — I was a murderer — I had com- 
mitted suicide ! 

As a compensation to the farmer, I had made over 
to him the proceeds of my six bushels of wheat, but 
that did not ease my mind in the least. I had done a 
deed which a thousand bushels of wheat could not 
atone for. The phantom sow, with the winding sheet 
trailing after her, as she stalked around my bed in the 
garret, drove sleep away from my -pillow, and de- 
prived me of all chance of rest. I grew weary of life. 
I didn't care any more about travelling west. The 
idea frequently crossed my mind of sacrificing myself 
to the manes of the poor feminine hog. 

My month was up. 



A HOG STORY. 201 



Two Quakers came along and inquired for seed 
wheat. I offered them my six bushels, and they pur- 
chased it, at a dollar and a quarter a bushel. I list- 
lessly received the money, and passed it over to the 
honest farmer in payment for the murdered sow, and 
was just bidding farewell to my kind employer and his 
family when a little urchin came running in, scream- 
ing with all his might — 

" Oh, daddy ! daddy ! just come out here and see 
something ! If here isn't our dead sow coming up the 
lane !" 

Horror-stricken, I huddled on my pack with the 
utmost speed, and prepared to depart, dreading to 
meet the spectre which I doubted not was coming to 
upbraid me for my brutal butchery ! I started off at 
full speed towards the gate, when — can I express my 
joy at the sight which met my view ? — there was the 
veritable sow that I had for a month mourned as dead, 
alive and rooting ! — somewhat thinner than when I 
pitchforked her, but apparently enjoying remarkably 
good health ; and by her side marched sixteen clean, 
elegant little offspring, joyously grunting as they ca- 
pered along up the lane. Oh what delight I experi- 
enced at this sight ! A millstone had been taken from 
my neck — I was not a murderer — I was free from 
crime ! I could have hugged that veritable old hog — 
I could ! — and I believe I did kiss half-a-dozen of the 
pigs. I was completely happy. 

Farmer Stott insisted that, inasmuch as I had paid 

for the supposed defunct sow, she belonged to me, and 

that I was also proprietor of her progeny — the whole 

being worth, at the lowest rate of hog's flesh, at least 

17* 



202 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

twelve dollars. I utterly refused to receive anything 
more than the price I had paid for the elder animal. 
Happy in the contemplation of the swinish family 
group, composed of the mother lying on her side, and 
furnishing an early breakfast to her sixteen young 
'uns, I passed out at the gate, and wended my way 
westward. 



DON LUDLOW HEMIT IN HAVANA. 

To ensure a proper understanding of this sketch, 
it is necessary to explain that the uncommon name of 
"Smith" is pronounced by the Spaniards, " Hemit." 
Bills posted at the corners of the streets in Havana, 
during the winter of 1842, announced, in good Span- 
ish, that "los Cirque Olympic Americano," under 
the management of Ludlow and Smith, would open on 
such a night, by permission of the Captain General 
of Cuba, &c, &c. It fell to my lot, (Ludlow and I 
drew lots for the chance of the journey,) to go over 
to the Spanish Island as " Impressario" of a circus 
company, consisting of Levi North, Otto Motty^ 
Young Juan Hernandez, John Robinson, Eaton Stone, 
Dennis ditto, and about twenty others of less note, 
together with a host of grooms, and something like 
forty horses. Instead of realizing a profit of $10,000, 
as we expected, we were obliged to submit to a loss of 
about $6,000. But that is all over, and it is not my 
intention to dwell upon a subject so disagreeable to 
remember. 

After the usual difficulties of custom-house inspec- 



DON LUDLOW HE3IIT IN HAVANA. 203 

tions and examinations, we effected a landing — 
" horse, foot and dragoons." In transacting business 
with the commercial house to whom we were consigned, 
I found that the firm of Ludlow and Smith had be- 
come embodied in my individual self, under the title 
of Don Ludlow Hemit, in which style I was 
addressed, while on the Island, by all who had occa- 
sion to transact business with the concern. 

The first thing that strikes an American on arriv- 
ing at Havana, is the great difference betwixt a free 
and a despotic government. It appears a little strange 
to a republican to meet a soldier under arms and on 
duty at every corner and at every crossing. If you 
visit a theatre, you see one of these interesting gentle- 
men stationed at the entrance of each box ! They 
are quite inoffensive, however, and in a day or two 
they cease to annoy you ; you pass them as you would 
so many posts. 

The grand entrances of the private dwellings in the 
city serve for the ingress and egress of ladies, gentle- 
men, servants, horses and carriages ! One morning 
while a large party were at breakfast in our boarding 
house, a splendid stud horse was brought in by a 
groom, and paraded around the table, for the inspec- 
tion of Col. Harney, who wished to purchase an ani- 
mal of the kind. 

It is the duty of the keepers of boarding houses 
and taverns to report to the government every 
person they entertain and lodge each night ; and 
they are accountable to the treasury of Queen Isabel 
the second, for the sum of fifty-two dollars for every 
one that dies in their houses. Whenever a foreigner 
leaves the Island he is obliged to obtain a certificate 



204 ANECDOTTCAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

from the dead office that he is alive, another from 
the custom-house that he is clear of its books, and 
yet another from the Captain of Partida, (I think that 
is his title,) that he owes no debts ! 

On the opening night of the " Cirque Olympique," a 
company of twenty soldiers under the command of a 
sergeant, marched up to the box-office, and reported 
to Bon Ludlow Hemit that they came by command 
of the alcalde of the quarter to preserve order in the 
house, and to guard the box of the governor; for 
which service the sergeant intimated, through an 
interpreter, that he expected a gratification from Don 
Hemit. In reply, I directed the interpreter to say to 
the sergeant that there was no occasion for his or his 
soldiers' services ; and that if the governor's box 
required guarding they were welcome to guard it, but 
not at my expense ; and that so far from gratifying 
them, (which the reader ought to be informed meant 
making them a present of an ounce of gold,) it would 
afford me, Don Ludlow Hemit, a great gratification 
if they would march back to their quarters, and keep 
out of my sight for the remainder of their natural 
lives. The worthy sergeant touched his cap with the 
back of his hand by way of salute, wheeled his com- 
mand to the right about, and marched off. After the 
departure of the soldiery, two ministers presented 
themselves, and demanded a gratification of a quarter 
of an ounce each for sitting each side of the alcalde's 
box ; and this imposition I was obliged to submit to 
every night of performance. 

Our contract with Otto Motty, the man that plays 
with cannon balls, was to the effect that he was to 
perform four weeks in the Island of Cuba, and receive 



DON LUDLOW HEMIT IX HAVANA. 205 

for his services §1,000. At the end of our second 
week, I found that it would be policy to cut off the 
last week of our season, and by that means save about 
§1,500. As a compromise with Motty, I proposed to 
pay him $750 for the three-foruths of the time agreed 
on, and §250 on our return to New Orleans, where 
he should perform the other week. This he agreed to 
— but after all arrangements were made to close up 
the disasterous season, and leave the Island in the 
steam packet, he concluded to act the rascal, and de- 
mand the full amount of his bond. He accordingly 
filed his claim of §500 with the proper authorities, 
and the passport of Don Ludlow Hemit was stopped ! 
Here was a dilemma. I had procured, (by the help 
of sundry ounces of gold,) passports for the whole 
company and stud of horses — but Don Ludlow Hemit 
was ordered not to depart the Island until the demand 
of the thrower of the cannon balls was fully satisfied ! 
It was the night previous to the day of our intended 
departure that the decree of the governor was com- 
municated to me. What could I do ? Obtaining a 
hearing of the case was out of the question, it 
appeared ; and even if the matter could be brought to 
adjudication, I had no proof of the compromise I had 
made with the Dutch Jew — the evidence of my son and 
clerk (who heard the new agreement) being excluded 
by the Spanish law ; while he had our original contract 
which culled for the fulfillment of its provisions in 
Cuba. At last, after much reflection, it occurred to 
me that if I should bring a suit against him, I could 
at least obtain an immediate hearing of the case, and 
possibly I might so mix matters up before the alcalde 
that the judgment might work a release of theprohiLi- 



206 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

tion to quit the Island. I sought out a minister, and 
placing half an ounce of gold in his hand, desired 
him to arrest Otto Motty at the suit of Don Ludlow 
Hemit, for breach of contract, &c. In about a quarter 
of an hour the defendant was in the presence of the 
alcalde, whose attendance at that late hour was 
secured by means of an ounce, sent into his private 
room by the minister whose services I had secured as 
above stated, and the trial began. And oh ! such a 
trial ! — the lawyers, parties and spectators all kept 
their seats while they made their statements. Otto 
Motty insisted upon his bond, and demanded $500 of 
Ludlow Hemit — (he had received $500, and there was 
really $250 due) — while I demanded that he should go 
to New Orleans and perform a week before he should 
be entitled to the full amount which we had agreed to 
pay him. We sat and jabbered there about an hour, 
when looking up I discovered that the alcalde had left 
the room ! My friendly minister informed me. on 
inquiry, that the worthy magistrate had gone to sup- 
per. Quietly slipping an ounce into the minister's 
hand, I desired that disinterested functionary to pass it 
in to the alcalde, with my compliments, and ask him 
if he was ready to decide the case. The minister 
returned almost immediately, and reported that the 
alcalde had decided that we must arbitrate the matter 
in dispute, on these conditions : Don Ludlow Hemit 
could not compel Otto Motty to leave the Spanish 
dominions, and Otty Motty could not compel Don 
Ludlow Hemit to pay him for services which he had not 
rendered. The clerk instantly recorded this decision, 
or whatever it may be called, and I was informed that 
by paying $250 into the court, I should satisfy the 



DON LUDLOW HEMIT IN HAVANA. 207 

judgment, and be entitled to my passport. " Here is 
the money," said I, in high spirits at the result. " I 
shall not take it," indignantly replied old Motty, " I 
shall have my tousand dollars." "No you won't, 
old fellow," said I, "here is the decree of court." 
" But," pleaded the Dutchman, " I will go with you 
to Orleans and play the other week, as you proposed 
and get the other $250." " Oh, no," was my answer ; 
" the judgment of this court is final, here is your 
money ; take it and be thankful." A question here 
arose about the costs. The clerk and ministers said 
Don Ludlow Hemit must pay them, as the judgment 
was against him. I turned to Otto Motty and said : 
" You must pay these costs." Of course he declined ; 
so I called to my minister to bring me a fee bill, 
which I found amounted to just two ounces, ($32). I 
then asked for a bit of paper, and wrote as follows : 

Otto Motty — 

To Ludlow Hemit, Dr. 
For transporting cannon balls from ship to the Cirque Olym- 
pic, and thence to the Plaza de Toros, several times, $32 00 

Handing this to the minister, I told him to arrest Mr. 
Motty, and stop his passports. In a moment the man 
of cannon balls saw the predicament he was in, and 
agreed to pay the bill without further question. 

Next day at five o'clock, p. M., all things were on 
board the good steamer Alabama, and we were ready 
for a start. Just as I was stepping on board the 
small craft which was to carry us to the ship, Otto 
Motty was seen hurrying down past the custom-house, 
with a cigar in his mouth, and his passport, which he 
had with great difficulty obtained, in his hand. He 



208 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

spoke to some one of our party and observed that he 
had feared being too late. " To late for what f" I 
inquired. " Too late for the steamboat," he answered. 
I here commenced whispering with the circus people, 
pointing occasionally to Otto Motty, who was in a 
small boat alongside of us during our row out into the 
harbor. We entered the steamer at the same time, 
and Robinson, (the equestrian manager,) took Otto 
Motty mysteriously aside and whispered in his ear — 
"Beware!" The same warning was whispered by 
other members of the equestrian corps, in various 
tones. Otto Motty at last ventured to inquire of one 
what he was to " beware" of? He was then gradually 
let into the secret that it was the intention of Ludlow 
Hemit to throw him overboard during the voyage, 
with his cannon balls attached to his feet as sinkers ! 
At first he was incredulous, but all the circus people 
assuring him in the most solemn manner that there 
was no mistake about it, he at length determined that 
he would not risk his life in the same ship with me. 
The last I saw of him, he and his cannon balls were 
in a small boat making their way towards the shore, 
while we were in our magnificent steamer, leaving the 
beautiful and unequalled harbor of Havana, and 
passing the frowning Moro castle. 

Arrived at New Orleans, I shaved of my whiskers 
and mustachios of a month's growth, and abjured for- 
ever the cognomen of Don Ludlow Hemit. 



who's at the wheel? 209 



WHO'S AT THE WHEEL? 

Western men will remember the Vandalia, which 
was for many years a popular and profitable freight 
and passenger boat on the Mississippi, and which only 
ceased running in 1842 or '43. She was an " eight- 
day boat," and before the introduction of the Scotts, 
Whites, Missouris, Shotwells and Eclipses, was set 
down as a "fast running" vessel, being rated at our 
insurance offices, A. No. 1. 

The incidents I am about to relate occurred in the 
summer of '40. 

The river was low, and it was not thought advis- 
able to "run nights" — at any rate until we got 
below Memphis. 

There was considerable sickness among the deck 
passengers, and as I was the only physician on hoard, 
my time was much occupied in weighing out grains 
and scruples of calomel, jalap and ipecacuanha from 
the medicine chest. This I got along with very well, 
having a faithful assistant in the clerk, Thompson, 
who went the rounds with me, and took particular 
care that my prescriptions were attended to. 

One evening the steward came to my state-room and 
said Capt. D desired to speak with me. 

"What!" I exclaimed, more than half asleep — for 
truth to say I was snatching an afternoon's nap, to 
make up for the loss of rest caused by my professional 
attendance on the lower deck — " is the captain taken 
sick ? — well, bring me the medicine chest — how was 
he taken ? — fever ? Tell Thompson to give him the 

18 



210 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

usual dose of ipecac, to clear out his stomach, and I'll 
be with him before it operates." 

"You are mistaken, doctor" — (they all called me 
so during this voyage) — " the captain is not sick; he 
wants to see you on particular business." 

" Oh, that's a different matter — ask the captain to 
come to my state-room." 

Away went the steward, and soon after the captain 
made his appearance. After the usual inquiries by 
me of "how do we get on?" and "how far have we 
run to-day ?" and an apology from him for disturbing 
me, the worthy captain opened the business of the 
evening. 

" I fear our first pilot's in a bad way — nothing will 

stay on his stomach," remarked Capt. D , taking 

a chair, and stretching out his legs in the easy way 
that captains of steamboats will — " can't you do any- 
thing for him ?" he asked. 

"I fear not," was my answer; "I have tried 
everything in the medicine chest — there is no hope 
whatever of his being able to take his post at the 
wheel during this voyage ; soon as we arrive at New 
Orleans he had better go to Stone's hospital — a 
month's care in that excellent institution will pro- 
bably restore him." 

" This is very unlucky," grumbled the captain, 
" I wanted to ' run nights' after to-night, and the 
second pilot cannot stand double watches — what's to 
be done ?" 

I quietly told him I didn't know what was to be 
done, and supposed the business was over ; but Capt. 

D lingered, gave two or three " h-hems," spat 

violently through the state room door and over the 



who's at the wheel? 211 

guards, changed his position several times, and at 
length continued the conversation. 

"Mr. Sol., I understand that during your life 
you've turned your hand to 'most everything." 

"Well, I have"— 

" I have heard of your merchandizing, your preach- 
ing, your acting, and your doctoring — did you ever 
try your hand at piloting ?" 

"Piloting? Never — unless occasionally lending a 
hand at steering a flat boat may be considered 
piloting." 

The captain looked somewhat disappointed when 
he received my answer, and rose to depart. 

" What is it you want ?" I asked. 

Looking up in my face, he said, " I want a pilot ; 
we can't run nights with one — Jim being down with 
the fever, and there being no hope of getting him up, 
I thought if you" — 

" Am I to understand you that failing to get Jim 
on his legs, you wish me to stand watch as pilot ?" 

" Why, if you would — Thompson says you can if 
you will." 

" But what would the insurance companies say in 
case of accident ?" I inquired. 

" That's the point," answered the captain — " I 
wanted you to take Jim's place at the wheel, and 
assume Ms character at the same time ! If you will 
do this, we shall save at least forty-eight hours be- 
tween this and Orleans." 

I pondered a moment, and then asked when he 
wished me to assume my new duties ? 

" At the commencement of the dog watch — six, P. 
he answered. 



212 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

" Enough said — I'll do it ! Consider me engaged, 
and be so good as to send Thompson to me." 

The captain departed, rejoiced at my ready ac- 
quiescence, and that same evening a report went 
through the boat that Jim was much better, and 
would be able to resume his post at the wheel very 
shortly. Thompson came to me, and I arranged with 
him to give our patients a farewell dose all round, 
and pronounce them cured. 

Next evening, I visited the pilot's state room, and 
just before six o'clock the tall figure of Jim was seen 
(or was supposed to be seen) enveloped in his great 
coat, a large hat pulled over his eyes, and a bandanna 
tied around his neck, coat collar and all, stalking up 
to the wheel-house. A supposed sore throat, the 
effects of salivation, was a sufficient reason for the 
pilot's taciturnity during the remainder of the voyage. 

In my character of doctor, I had had some difficult 
duties to perform ; as an actor and manager, my path 
had not always been strewn with roses ; as a preacher, 
I had perspired "a few;" and as a lawyer, some 
hard eases had come under my superintendence ; but 
this piloting was by far the most difficult job I had 
ever undertaken ! It was observable that while pass- 
ing over " bad places," Capt. D was always in 

the pilot house, which was somewhat strange, as Jim 
was known to be one of the most careful and compe- 
tent pilots on the Mississippi ; but this was accounted 
for in the fact that the captain was young at the busi- 
ness, and wanted to learn the river. * 

We arrived without accident at New Orleans — and 
I do assure you I felt much relieved, myself — though, 
as a faithful physician, I felt it to be my duty to re- 



A LAPSE OF TWENTY TEARS. 213 

commend that poor Jim, being much worse, from his 
constant attention to Ms duties at the wheel, should be 
sent to Dr. Stone's hospital for a month. I am happy 
to say that Jim recovered, and was ready to resume 
his post in the wheel-house on the very next trip of 
the Vandalia. He never meets me without calling 
out, "Sol., who's at the wheel?" 



A LAPSE OF TWENTY YEARS. 

The elderly and middle-aged residents of St. Louis 
all remember the old theatre on Second street, between 
Olive and Locust streets, commonly known as the 
Salt House. The " temple" was somewhat limited 
in size, of a surety ; but it was generally well filled 
with well-satisfied audiences — and I have always con- 
tended that a small theatre, full, was far preferable 
to a large one half empty. No matter for that — it is 
all aside from the purpose of my story, w r hich is 
intended to record one of the most singular coinci- 
dences I have ever known. 

In the summer of 1827, the company of which I 
was then a member, performed with great success a 
new drama entitled the " Gambler's Fate, or A Lapse 
of Twenty Years." It took well with the St. 
Louisans, and was oftentimes repeated. 

On one occasion, when this thrilling drama was 
announced, two young men, just enlisted for a trip to 
the mountains in the Fur Company's service, attended 
the theatre to witness the performance. At the end 
of the first act, they got impatient at the length of 
18* 



214 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

time the curtain was suffered to remain down, and 
concluded to go out and take a drink. Another 
drink followed, and then another. 

" Come, Jim," said one, " let's return to the 
theatre; the curtain must be up by this time." 

"No," replied the other, "look here — just read 
that bill, will you? — Betiveen the 1st and 2d acts 
tiventy years are supposed to elapse." 

" Thunder and gunpowder !" exclaimed Joe, the 
liquor beginning to assert its power — " who's gwine 
to wait twenty years ? Let's go back to the Green 
Tree Tavern and retire to our virtuous beds, for to- 
morrow we start for the mountains." 

"Agreed," says Jim, and off they went. They 
slept off the effects of the "drink," and next day the 

party to which they belonged moved westward. 

* * * * 

[A Lapse of Twenty Years.] 

* * * * 

1847. Two middle aged individuals are seen read- 
ing a large poster at the " Green Tree." Rough 
looking customers they are, and look toil-worn and 
browned by the weather, but hardy and honest. 
They are our old friends, who, twenty years ago, went 
to see the Gambler's Fate, and retired at the end of 
the first act. Singularly enough, there is the same 
play announced ! " The Gambler's Fate, or A Lapse 
of Twenty Years." 

Our trappers agree at once to go and see the rest 
ont. 

They make their way up Second street until they 
come to about the spot where the theatre stood, and 
then inquire of a passer-by for directions, which are 



A LAPSE OF TWENTY YEAKS. 215 

speedily given, and in a few minutes they find them- 
selves in the vestibule of the theatre on Third street. 

" Hollo ! old feller," says Joe, addressing the 
ticket seller through a hole — " they play the ' Gam- 
bler's Fate' here to-night, don't they?" 

"Well, they don't play anything else," was the 
polite reply of the gentlemanly treasurer. 

"All right, old feller," replied Joe; "I don't 
want to see anything else ; though I believe you ad- 
vertise a farce with it. Is the first act over ?" 

"I believe it is," answered the clerk. 

16 All right again — we only want to see the second 
act ; we saw the other some time ago. What's the 
price of tickets now?" 

" The same as a while ago — seventy-five cents." 

"What, now — and one act over?" 

"Exactly — one act over?" 

"But," expostulated Joe, who did all the talking, 
while Jim stood a little back and chewed tobacco, 
" we've paid once before for seeing this piece, and 
only stayed for the first act." 

" Can't help that, my friend," replies the imper- 
turbable ticket seller; "we have but one price." 

" Well, hand out two tickets for up stairs." The 
tickets were handed out, the money being first handed 
in, and the two trappers entered the house. In a 
few minutes the curtain was raised, and the moun- 
taineers finished seeing the " Gambler's Fate," the 
first act of which they had seen twenty years before, 
in the same city, though not in the same theatre, and 
with only one person in the cast who had played in 
it on the previous occasion. In effect, our voyageurs 
witnessed this play with a "real lapse" of twenty 
years between the acts. 



216 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 



AN INTIMATE FRIEND. 

There is a class of individuals who claim to Jcnow 
everybody. Actors particularly, and particularly 
great actors, are their most familiar companions. 
Macready, Forrest and Booth are their most valued 
professional friends — they have known them so long, 
and so intimately — interchanged so many civilities 
with them — been in their society under so many pecu- 
liar circumstances — indeed, they have known them 
from childhood — they consider them as brothers! 

In 1844 one of this class happened to be passenger 
on the " Scott" on her trip from New Orleans to St. 
Louis, during the month of March. He was a jolly 
fellow, full of anecdote, and always ready with his 
joke, conundrum, repartee or pun. Snatches of the 
fashionable negro songs — called, for fashion's sake, 
Ethiopian melodies — quaint sayings, and quotations 
from Shakspeare, were at his tongue's end ; he was 
the life of the social hall. Not knowing his real 
name, we will call him Sprig gins. 

The great tragedian, Macready, had been perform- 
ing an engagement at the St. Charles Theatre, and 
he was, of course, the subject of conversation in the 
cabin of all steamboats leaving New Orleans. Sprig- 
gins had, according to his own account, attended the 
theatre every night Macready had acted. 

"His Macbeth was great," said Spriggins, joining 
in a conversation by the stove in the social hall, 
where the passengers were picking their teeth and 
smoking — " his Hamlet superb, and his Werner mag- 



AN INTIMATE FRIEND. 217 

nificent ! I have freqnently said to him, at supper, 
after he has been personating the latter character" — • 

"You know him, then?" interrupted a passenger, 
who was at the moment lighting a cigar by Sprig- 
gins's. 

" Know him ? — know Bill Macready ? Well I 
should rather think I do ! — intimately — intimately 
— spent most of my leisure time with him while he 
was in Orleans. It was by my advice he came out 
to the south." 

"Indeed!" 

" Yes, indeed — it was a lucky thing for the 
managers, that I happened to be in New York on his 
arrival from England — he never would have visited 
the south had it not been for me." 

" What sort of a man is he in private life ?" in- 
quired a gentleman. 

" Oh !" replied Spriggins, "he is devilish haughty 
and austere to strangers, but in his intercourse with 
friends, he is a very companionable sort of a fellow, 
I assure you." 

" Are you acquainted with Mr. Forrest ?" asked a 
passenger. 

" Acquainted with him ? — Ned Forrest ? Have 
known him since he was a boy ; we were schoolmates 
in Philadelphia — saw him make his first appearance 
as Young Norval at the Chesnut street ; it was by my 
advice he adopted the stage as a profession. Great 
man, Ned is, but after seeing Macready, one doesn't 
relish Ned's acting as formerly ; he is all very well as 
Metamora and Jack Cade, but when he attempts 
Shaksperian characters" — Spriggins concluded this 
criticism by shaking his head and slightly shuddering, 



218 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

as a man does when he has just taken a dose of 
salts. 

" Did you see him act during his late engagement 
at the St. Charles?" asked one. 

" No, I didn't," replied Spriggins — " though I like 
Ned, I couldn't persuade myself to undergo his sten- 
torian inflictions. He called to see me once or twice, 
and I dined with him three times, I believe, and that's 
the extent of our intercourse this season." 

Spriggins went on chatting about actors and ac- 
tresses till near dinner time — giving very amusing 
accounts of their adventures during his long and inti- 
mate acquaintance with them. He knew them all 
" like a hook." The southern managers were under 
great obligations to him for advice — indeed they very 
seldom made any engagement of consequence without 
consulting him. He knew all the stars and principal 
stock actors and actresses. He had been the prime 
agent in getting up most of the complimentary bene- 
fits — he had written nearly all of the criticisms and 
puifs that had appeared in the New Orleans papers 
during the past theatrical season ; in short, if his 
veracity might be relied on, he was the connecting 
link between the public and the theatre ; and to a 
casual observer, it would be a matter of wonder how 
theatrical affairs could proceed for a single week with- 
out him. 

Who was he ? 

He knew everybody connected with the stage, or 
who had been connected with it during the last 
twenty years. He dined with Mr. Caldwell twice a 
week — it was by his advice that gentleman had built 
the old St. Charles. We have already seen that he 



AN INTIMATE FRIEND. 219 

was on terms of intimacy with the two great trage- 
dians of the age. Before the ringing of the dinner 
bell, the congregated passengers in the social hall 
became aware that a few of the more humble followers 
of Thespis were also honored with Mr. Spriggins' 
acquaintance and limited regard. In reply to ques- 
tions judiciously propounded by the cigar smokers, it 
became known that the season at New Orleans had 
closed, and that the company were about leaving for St. 
Louis — that he was bound for the same city, but he had 
declined the invitation of Bill Macready, Jim Ryder, 
Joe Field, Jack Weston, and Sol. Smith, to go with 
them in the "J. M. White," in consequence of being 
obliged to stop on the way at several towns on the 
river. "Besides," he observed, "it is a relief to be 
by one's self during a journey of this kind — for I 
knew how it would be if I went with them — long sit- 
tings over the wine bottle after dinner, late suppers, 
tedious stories and professional reminiscences — I am 
such a favorite with them all, that I should be bored 
to death with their attentions." 

The bell rung out the summons to dinner. After 
the cloth had been removed, it was observed that five 
gentlemen remained, enjoying their wine, at the mid- 
dle of the table. Spriggins cast a wistful look to- 
wards the party, but did not venture to move his chair 
up to the place occupied by the ton vivants. One of 
the five — a reverend-looking individual — observing 
that a gentleman lingered at the lower end of the 
table, after a short whispering consultation with his 
companions, sent the steward with the compliments of 
the party, and a request that Spriggins would honor 
them with his company and partake of a glass of wine 



220 ANECJDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 



with them. He accepted the invitation with alacrity, 
and was soon the merriest of the group. During the 
"sitting," Spriggins imparted the information that 
he was connected with the press, and that he was on a 
tour through the river towns for the purpose of in- 
creasing the circulation of one of the New Orleans 
papers. He might proceed as far as St. Louis — Bill 
Macready was going to that place, and didn't know 
how he could get along in a city so far west without 
some friend to take care of him ; but he didn't see — 
he didn't — how people could expect people to leave 
their business, to attend to other people's business ; 
Jim Ryder had insisted on his going ; Joe Field had 
expressed a great desire that he would go, and assist 
him to establish his projected new paper — Jack 
Weston had said he must go, and Old Sol. wouldn't 
take no for an answer. 

"So," said Capt. Swon, who had just joined the 
party, "you are very well acquainted with these 
actor-folk, Mr. Spriggins ?" 

" Acquainted with actors? Oh, no — I don't know 
any of them — ha ! ha ! ha !" answered and laughed 
Spriggins, winking at the wine drinkers all round — 
"never met any of them in all my life !" 

At this moment, the clerk of the boat happened to 
be passing by that section of the table where the 
party were enjoying themselves. 

" What's that you say, Mr. Spriggins ? — not know 
any of the actors !" said he. " Allow me to introduce 
you to a few : Mr. Macready, Mr. Spriggins — Mr. 
Ryder, Mr. Field— Mr. Weston, Mr. Sol. Smith- 
Mr. Spriggins ! — Spriggins — Macready — Weston — 
Spriggins — Field — Ryder — Spriggins." The party 



THE FATHER OF THE AMERICAN STAGE. 221 

rose to do honor to the introduction — all but Sprig- 
gins, who sat in his chair, holding a wine glass midway 
between the table and his mouth, the very picture of 
astonishment. 

" Steward !" faltered Spriggins, when he found 
the use of his tongue, " bring forward my trunk — I 
get out at Natchez." 

He did get out at Natchez, and I have been told 
that he now stoutly denies ever having been ac- 
quainted with any member of the theatrical profes- 

cir)T"| *r^ *•* *** *•* *■* 



THE FATHER OF THE AMERICAN STAGE. 

(written in 1845.) 

\ 
Andrew Jackson Allen claims to be the father 

of the American Stage ; that is to say, he supposes 
he has been on the American Stage a longer period 
than any other actor now living. This may be true. 
I have seen his name in the bills, and his person on 
the stage as long ago as 1815. He was Andrew Al- 
len then — the Jackson has since been acquired — how, 
I do not pretend to say ; but I believe it was laid hold 
of by and conceded to him by the world, in con- 
sequence of the able manner in which he "got up" 
the Battle of Neiv Orleans, at his benefit, soon after 
the news arrived of the grand affair at New Orleans, 
performed on the 8th of January of the above named 
year. 

The first character I saw performed by the subject 
19 



222 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

of this sketch, was the Laird of Raissy, in the opera 
of the " Highland Reel." I next saw him in a raw- 
head-and~bloody- bones mixture of pantomime and 
melo-drama, entitled the " Black Castle, or the Dis- 
tressed Maiden," in which he enacted an extremely 
savage-looking confidential servant to a villainous 
usurper, with a slouched hat, overhanging feathers, 
broad belt, with a very wide brass buckle in front, 
short sword and wide-sleeved gauntlets ; and it was 
his peculiar province to attempt all the assassinations 
— to be most unmercifully beaten by men with clubs, 
and other rescuers of innocence ; and to cry " Con- 
fusion ! foiled again !" and rush off, shaking his dag- 
ger at the audience, and with a look at his intended 
victim which indicated, as plainly as looks can indi- 
cate, that it wouldn't be well for the aforesaid intended 
victim to let him catch her alone again ; that's all ! 
He made a great impression on me ; and afterwards, 
when I saw him in Abselino, the great bandit, through 
the knot-hole of a pine board under the boxes, where 
I had stationed myself in the afternoon before the 
doors were opened, my admiration was excited to the 
highest pitch ! This was in the old Albany Theatre, 
in Green Street. 

In the winter of 1816, the present father of the 
American Stage became the sole proprietor of the 
Shakspeare House, nearly opposite the theatre, pre 
viously occupied by one Morse, afterwards proprietoi 
of a Shakspeare Hotel adjoining the Park Theatre, 
New York. He still continued to act in the theatre, 
playing stern villains and clowns. He took a benefit, 
and paid off an immense amount of debts, in tickets, 
leading each creditor to suppose that he was the only 



THE FATHER OF THE AMERICAN STAGE. 223 

one who could be paid, and assuring him that the 
tickets could be easily disposed of. It leaked out 
during the day, that everybody had tickets for sale, 
and the price fell to almost nothing. I purchased a 
box ticket for six cents, and by planting myself at 
the door at 4 o'clock, was one of the fifteen hundred 
that were shoved into the house. The three or four 
thousand outsiders amused themselves by kicking up 
all sorts of rumpusses in the street. The "father" did 
not care for all this — he had the receipted bills of his 
creditors in his pocket. 

Having paid all his debts in Albany, he proceeded 
to New York, where he engaged in the Park Theatre, 
and was moderately successful in his slouched hat, 
broad buckle and short sword characters, until his 
creditors — for he had a way of getting in debt per- 
fectly surprising to young beginners — became some- 
what impatient and troublesome. One, in particular, 
determined to try the virtue of a capias ad respon- 
dendum, and employed a well-known and afterwards 
celebrated constable, by the name of Hays, to execute 
the same on the body of Father Allen. I may as well 
here state two things — first, my hero was, and is, par- 
tially deaf; and secondly, he has a way of speaking 
which conveys the idea that he is always laboring 
under the effects of a bad cold in his head, without a 
pocket handkerchief to help himself with. The reader 
will please bear these things in mind. 

Young Hays (he was then young) found Father 
Allen on the Park Theatre steps. " Good morning," 
said he, saluting the actor very civilly, but speaking 
in a very loud voice, for he knew the actor's in- 



224 ANECDOTTCAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

firmity, and pulling out a small bit of paper, — "your 
name is Allen, I believe ?" 

" Yes, Addrew Jacksod Ailed, at your service," 
replied the debtor, supposing the officer was an appli- 
cant for a front seat in the dress circle — "what cad I 
do for you, by friedd ?" continued he, patronizingly, 
as he gently tapped the ashes from his cigar. "It is 
by bedefit, you see — Battle of Lake Erie, sir, with 
real water — great expedse — fide play — ' we have met 
the edeby add they are ours,' you kdow — lots of doble 
ships, flags, guds add smoke — look at the bill, sir." 

" That's just what I want you to do," replied the 
officer — " here is a bill I want you to examine, and 
here is a writ requiring that I shall take your body 
forthwith before a squire." 

It was useless to attempt to misunderstand this 
plain explanation, for if he could not hear very well, 
he could see as well as anybody — and it was equally 
useless to attempt to escape — so, after quietly examin- 
ing the papers, the beneficiaire of the evening gave a 
puif or two more at his cigar, and then, with a nod of 
the head, intimated that he understood the whole affair. 
- " Let's see — yes, sevedty-two dollars, exactly ; 
cursed ill-datured of by friedd Thobsocl to trouble you 
with this busidess — I idtedded to pay it out of by bedefit 
bodey to-borrow ; but dever bind, step idto Bister 
Sibsod's roob, with be, and 111 hadd you the aboudt." 

" Certainly, sir," answered Hays, and he followed 
the defendant into the theatre through a private door. 
I shall not attempt to describe the route they took, 
but it is said the officer was led up and down numer- 
ous stairways, over divers stagings, and through many 
dark passages and underground vaults, until he was 



THE FATHER OF THE AMERICAN STAGE. 225 

completely bewildered. At length, in the midst of 
darkness, he was requested by his conductor to " hold 
on a minute." " Here's Bister Sibsod's roob," said 
he — " wait here till I see if he is at leisure." The 
officer stopped stock still, as desired, for he had no 
idea which way to move, and waited patiently for the 
return of his prisoner, whose retreating steps told him 
that Mr. Simpson's room was not so near to where., 
he stood as he had supposed. After waiting for 
about ten minutes, he began to call the name of his 
prisoner in a loud voice. Suddenly a trap door 
opened immediately above his head, and, looking up, 
he distinctly saw Allen's face, lit up with a most 
benevolent smile. " Well," inquired the officer, 
"have you found Simpson?" "Do, by friedd, I 
havd't yet foucld that worthy gedtlebad, but I do 
dot despair of beidg able to beet with hib sobe tibe 
this evedidg ; be so good as to wait there, by idterest- 
idg friedd, while I take a good look for hib — it is 
bore thad likely I shall see hib sobewhere betweed 
here add Philadelphia, for which city I ab about 
ebbarkidg." 

" Embarking for Philadelphia !" fiercely exclaimed 
the officer — " no you don't ! you are my prisoner, and 
must not move." 

"By dear friedd, "replied Allen, who had not 
heard a word the officer had said, but saw by his 
movements he was inclined to leave the place where 
he had located him, "you'd better dot stir frob that 
spot till sobe of the labplighters arrive ; for if you do, 
idasbuch as there are trap doors all roudd you, you'll 
fall forty feet or so, add that bight hurt you, you 
kdow." The trap door was closed with a loud noise, 
19* 



226 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

and the next that was heard of Father Allen, he was 
getting up an immense nautical piece, called " The 
Battle of Lake Champlain" in Philadelphia. I have 
never learned how the constable got out of the theatre, 
but I presume he was turned out. The return on 
his writ was, " Executed by taking in custody the 
defendant, who escaped by misleading me into the 
devil's church, and leaving me to get out the best way 
I could.'' 

The next I heard of the father he was manager of 
a theatre in Pensacola, where he played Abselino and 
Caleb Quotem with great success. In 1822 he was 
in Cincinnati, where I was editing a paper, and he 
was then engaged in sending up a series of balloons, 
in opposition to one Mons. Dumileau, and appealing 
in his advertisements to the patriotic feelings of the 
Cincinnatians to sustain Ms balloons, on the ground 
that they were the true American article, while those 
of Dumileau's were decidedly French. 

He went into Virginia, causing balloons to ascend 
from every village. At one of his stands he found 
great difficulty . in collecting together the proper 
materials for generating gas ; nevertheless he adver- 
tised that the exhibition would take place ; and pro- 
viding a quantity of the spirits of turpentine to burn 
under the balloon, hired a large garden, into which 
the Virginians flocked in great numbers, each paying 
fifty cents at the gate. When the hour of ascension 
arrived, the exhibiter found that with all his exertions 
it would be impossible to cause the balloon to mount ! 
He had a number of juvenile assistants, who were 
busy about the inner enclosure, and to them he ad- 



THE FATHER OF THE AMERICAN STAGE. 227 

dressed himself, first handing an old bull's eyed watch 
to the largest boy — 

" Look here, by boys — I've got to go add purchase 
sobe bore sulphuric acid — you take this watch, add 
whed the hadd poidts at the hour of two, set fire to 
this here turpedtide — do you hear ?" 

The boys said they did hear, and promised obedience. 
The master spirit made his way to the gate, where he 
requested the door-keeper to " hadd over the fudds, 
as there was such a crowd there was do telling what 
bight happed id the bustle." He then mounted a pony 
he had wisely provided for the purpose, and gallopped 
off for the drug store — but mistaking the way, he 
found himself, at precisely two o'clock, on a very 
high hill overlooking the scene of his late operations. 
The boys were true to their promise, and communi- 
cated the fire to the turpentine at the appointed time, 
the balloon went up, but it was in small flaky frag- 
ments ; and the humbugged Virginians began to look 
about for the operator — but in vain ! With $600 in 
his pockets he was wending his way toward some city 
where gas could be more easily generated. In giving 
an account of this affair, our venerable friend says — 
" Dab the idferdal ballood ! I foudd there was do use 
id tryidg to bake it rise ; so, as I dislike bakidg apolo- 
gies, I thought I would bake byself scarce : Whed I 
got od that hill add looked back, the boys had set fire 
to the ballood, add such a sboke rose up ! — the whole 
village appeared to be od fire — d — d if it didd't 
look like a youdg Sodob add Goborrow !" 

When Mr. Edwin Forrest began to rise in his pro- 
fession, . Allen determined to rise with him, and at- 
tached himself to that tragedian as costumer, in which 



228 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

capacity, and that of a fighting gladiator, he traversed 
this country and Great Britain, always taking to 
himself a full share of credit for "the boy's" success; 
" for," said he, "what would be the use of taledt 
without the proper costube ?" I am not informed of 
the cause of separation, but certain it is the great 
tragedian has managed to "get on" without the aid 
of the father of the American Stage, for several years 
past. Thrown on his own resources, we find he is 
still true to himself and his country, as will more 
fully appear by the following proclamation, which I 
find in a late New York Mirror, and which I append 
as a proper winding up to this somewhat lengthy no- 
tice of a truly great man, (in his way,) and with the 
hope that the Father of the American Stage 
may reap some benefit from its widely extended cir- 
culation : 



Jg@- HUMBUGS AVAUNT ! ! ! «@g 

i am not dead yet: ingratitude Las not killed me — thanks to 
a clear conscience and a pair of silver leather breeches. All I want 
is woi'k, that I may thrive by my industry, pay my debts, and die, 
as I always have lived, an honest man. 

The subscriber has resumed his old vocation of costumer, fancy 
dress maker, and manufacturer of his unapproachable gilt and silver 
leather, (for which he received letters patent in 1817, and which he 
has since improved 100 per cent.) It-can be applied to the follow- 
ing uses : theatrical and equestrian dresses and trappings, ladies' ball 
slippers, albums, portfolios, pocket books, hat leathers, coach trimmings, 
in short every variety of fancy and ornamental icork, 25 per cent. 
less than it can be obtained anywhere else, and 100 per cent, bet- 
ter. Warranted to last for years. 

Masonic and /. 0. of 0. F. Regalia made to order. 

Theatrical and equestrian managers are invited to call and judge 
for themselves. A. J. A. is a classical and legitimate costumer, and 
has followed the art for over 40 years, both in his native country, (our 



COURT OF UNCOMMON PLEAS. 229 

beloved America,) and in Europe, and he challenges competition. Mr. 
A. makes helmets, masks, and all kinds of paper machee "work, and 
stage properties of every description from a penny whistle to a Bas- 
ket Elephant. 

All orders thankfully received, and faithfully executed, by the 
public's humble and obedient servant, 

Andrew Jackson Allen, 
No. 1, Mulberry street, (1st floor,) 

Opposite the Chatham Theatre. 
Gentlemen and children's clothes made in the most substantial 
and fashionable style — gentlemen finding their own cloth. 

P. S. — For 16 years Mr. A. made all E. Forrest's theatrical 
wardrobe.*" 



COURT OF UNCOMMON PLEAS. 

Temperance 



James Green, 



Indictment for ivhislcey drinking 
out of a jug. 



If the reader has travelled much in the West, 
he has witnessed the proceedings of self-constituted 
courts on the boiler decks of steam boats. It has 
been the luck of the writer of this sketch to act as 
Judge of many of these dignified tribunals — conse- 
quently he has been called on to pass judgment on 
many of his fellow-travelers during the last twenty or 
thirty years. 

In the courts here spoken of the jurisdiction is 
generally co-extensive with the boats on which they 

* As I send these sheets off to the publisher, I learn that the 
subject of the foregoing sketch has been " called" to another world. 
Peace be with him ! He was the first recipient of assistance from 
the American Dramatic Fund, but only lived to receive the first 
quarter of the annuity to which he was entitled. 



230 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

are held, and it is very seldom an individual is found 
who is fool-hardy enough to call in question their 
powers — hence the sentences are pretty generally 
carried into effect without resistance. 

In the summer of 1844, when all was " hurrah for 
Clay," and "hurrah for Polk," a term of the Court 
of Uncommon Pleas was " begun and held " on board 
the good steamer White Cloud, Capt. Robards, during 
her voyage from St. Louis to Louisville. 

After the organization of the court by the appoint- 
ment of Judge, Prosecuting Attorney, Clerk and 
Sheriff, proclamation was made by the latter function- 
ary that all was ready for business. The first case 
on the docket was the one stated at the head of this 
report. The defendant, Green, a deck passenger, 
had been delivering a temperance lecture in the cabin, 
and was retiring to his quarters on the lower deck, 
when he was arrested by the sheriff and brought be- 
fore the " Honorable Court." I never saw a " priso- 
ner at the bar," charged with murder, manifest more 
fear than did this poor fellow — the reason will appear 
hereafter. The indictment was read, charging him, 
the said Green, being at the time a member of a 
temperance society, with having, " with malice and 
aforethought," drank whiskey out of a jug — contrary 
to the dignity of the temperance cause, and the inter- 
est of the bar-keeper of the White Cloud, &c, &c. 

"Prisoner, you have heard the charge — are you 
guilty, or not guilty ?" 

" Not guilty," replied the trembling Green — "that 
is, not very guilty ; I did take a little bit of " 

"Prisoner, answer distinctly to the charge — are 
you guilty, or not guilty ?" 



COURT OF UNCOMMON PLEAS. 231 

" Is there any lawyer aboard ?" asked the defend- 
ant, looking fearfully at the crowd. 

"Yes," replied the Court — "there are any number 
of them on board, going to the Whig Convention at 
Nashville ; you are entitled to counsel, and the Court 

assigns you L. V. B- , Esq., — so you can unbosom 

yourself to him" 

The worthy gentleman named readily accepted the 
appointment, and a jury being empanelled, the trial 
commenced. 

The prosecuting attorney, (who was no other than 

my friend Col. A. B. C rs, the well known apostle 

of temperance,) made a splendid " opening." He in- 
sisted that intemperance was the unpardonable sin, 
and demanded that the jury, if convinced of the guilt 
of the accused, should inflict the severest punishment 
known to the law. 

The evidence all went to show that the accused 
had certainly committed the damning deed — he had 
most surely drank whiskey — more than that, he had 
drunk it out of a jug ! There was no getting round 
it, or over it, or under it — drunk he had — he had 
drunk whiskey — and out — of — a j-u-g ! 

The counsel for the prisoner, finding the fact could 
not be controverted, endeavored to justify ; and went 
into a lengthy argument to show that the greatest 
men in ancient and modern times had been and t&ere 
drunkards; that the greatest literary efforts had 
been inspired by the wine bottle ; and so far from the 
defendant being blamable for what he had done, he, 
the learned counsel, contended that he was deserving 
of the highest commendation. 

A reply from the prosecuting attorney closed the 



232 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

case, and the jury were about to retire to the pantry 
to deliberate on their verdict, when the defendant ad- 
dressed the Court : 

" May it please your honor, I want to say a few 
words, if you've no objections. " 

"By all means — you shall be heard. The defend- 
ant has a right to be heard by himself and counsel ; 
proceed." 

Green, trembling from head to foot, mounted a 
chair, (on the intimation of the sheriff,) and spoke as 
follows : 

" Mister Judge, and gentlemen of the jury, I want 
to say this much — I am guilty ; I don't justify the 
drinking of the whiskey, I don't. I tried to persuade 
my attorney not to make that sort of defenpe, but he 
would do it. I drank a leetle whisky — but I took it 
for medicine, as I have proved to you by the doctor 
who prescribed it. I know I've done wrong — very 
wrong, and I deserve punishment ; but I beg and pray 
this Honorable Court to have pity on my wife 
an d " 

"Hast thou a wife?" interrupted the Court. 

"I have," replied the defendant. 

"And children?" 

" No ; no children yet, may it please the honorable 
Court, but my wife is in a fix." 

"A fix?" 

"Yes; a fix." 

" Prisoner, what do you mean by your wife being 
in a fix?" 

"Why your honor," proceeded the accused, "she 
will shortly become the mother of a fatherless orphan, 
if you throw me overboard.'" 



KICKING THE BUCKET. 233 

" Throw you overboard ! What has put that into 
your head, prisoner?" 

" Oh !" groaned Green in agony, " I know the pun- 
ishment of my crime; my counsel has told me all 
about it. I'm to be thrown overboard, to prevent my 
ever again drinking anything but cold water!" 

Finding the poor fellow took the matter so seri- 
ously, there was a general desire for his acquittal. 

The judge gave a charge to the jury, full of nice 
points of law and leaning greatly towards the prisoner. 
Without leaving their seats, the jury returned the 
following verdict: 

" We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty, and 
recommend him to mercy. The sheriff to treat the 
jury — the attornies to pay costs, and the judge to 
fill the jug which the defendant drank out of, and 
which the jury have emptied during the trial." 

The defendant, when he heard the verdict read, fell 
down on his knees in thankfulness — renewed his tem- 
perance pledge — thanked the judge and gentlemen 
of the jury, and in his wife's name called down bless- 
sings on the whole crowd. 



KICKING THE BUCKET. 

Pulse 140 !— Wliiew I— Wlmrr ! 

Reader did you ever have a fever ? — a regular built, 
up-and-down thumping fever ? — a fever that carried 
you up, as it were, to another existence ? I had such 
a fever in the fall of 1844 — September — in Cincinnati. 

20 



234 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

I tried to put it off. It wouldn't go. I went to Lou- 
isville in a steamboat, and endeavoured to persuade 
myself during the night, while my pulse was rising and 
my brain was becoming more and more pressed, that 1 
should be better in the morning. I endeavoured to 
transact business in Louisville, but my questions and 
replies were so incoherent that the people stared at me 
a,nd (for aught I know) thought I was tipsy. On the 
return trip, all was pleasant enough in the afternoon, 
but at night, and during the long night, thump, thump, 
thump, went my blood again, as though it was deter- 
mined to burst through and be free. 

I found myself at my brother's house on Fourth 
street, where a room is always reserved for me. I had 
purchased some calomel and castor oil, on my way up 
from the boat, and I went to taking medicine. It did 
no good — the fever did not diminish at all. At the 
request of my good brother a homoeopathic physician 
was called in, who attended me, and administered small 
globules of something or other for a week — two weeks, 
perhaps — probably three — " I took no note of time." 
No change. My brothers and other relations visited 
me frequently. I could see by their manner they 
thought I must go. They did not shake their heads, 
but the expression of their countenances did not at all 
conform to their words of comfort and encouragement. 

My sense of hearing was fearfully acute. I could 
hear them look! It was plain enough I was given up 
— the doctor (Dutch at that !) said he had been called 
too late ; if he had only been called in before I had 
taken the calomel, all would have been well, but 

With the exception of a head-ache, which hung to 
me, it was not a disagreeable month I passed thus. 



KICKING THE BUCKET. 235 

The pressure on my brain caused those about me to 
take the most fanciful forms, and to do the drollest 
things ! The doctor appeared to dance into the room, 
pour his useless (and harmless) medicine into water, 
and present me the tumbler, dancing all the while ; 
my sisters, my brothers, nieces and nephews, all to 
appearance about half their real height, danced about 
the apartment in the most picturesque forms, all bear- 
ing a striking resemblance to each other, and all wear- 
ing wreaths — rocking, prancing, bending, smiling, and 
attitudinizing to the tune of — my pulse. It was very 
pleasant indeed. 

I remember every occurrence while under the in- 
fluence of this fever, with the utmost distinctness. 
About the 18th day I called the homoeopathic doctor 
to my bedside and told him I had no further occasion 
for his services. He remonstrated — the family re- 
monstrated ; but I was firm — I would take no more of 
those little globules. 

My friend Logan came to see me every day. When 
he found the homoeopathist had retired, he urged the 
calling in of one of the regular physicians. After 
some argument I consented, and Doctor Shotwell took 
me in hand. I could see plainly enough he thought 
the call had been put off too long ; but he prescribed 
for me, and in one week I was able to sit up an hour 
at a time — in two weeks I could walk, and in less than 
three I embarked for St. Louis — my home. 

"When I began to write this article I intended to de- 
scribe some of my singular fancies — but I shall con- 
fine myself to one strange fancy I took into my fever- 
ish head. 

It seemed to me that 'possibly my friends might be 



236 ANECDOTICAL RECOLLECTIONS. 

right, and that I was doomed to kick the bucket sure 
enough. I was away from home — my affairs were un- 
settled — no preparations made for such a feat — but yet, 
I thought my time had possibly come ! The idea was 
not at all unpleasant. I had shaken off all care of 
business, having placed it in competent hands, and my 
only uneasiness arose from the trouble I was giving 
my kind nurses. I took up the idea that, if I must 
kick the bucket, I might as well do it in the middle of 
the night, when most of the family were asleep, so 
that in the morning they would find all was over with 
me, and the disagreeable part of the business would 
be past. I kept thinking of this, and constantly con- 
tinued to contrive out ways and means to effect my 
designs without causing trouble to the family. I 
knew that if I asked for a bucket to kick, they would 
refuse to let me have it; so I pretended every night 
that I wanted water to bathe my feet in, and when I 
had finished bathing them I always asked the girl to 
leave the bucket on a chair beside my bed ! And 
there I lay night after night, waiting for the time to 
come when I should kick the bucket without troubling 
any one ! In the middle of the night I would laugh 
heartily at my cunning contrivance — keeping the 
bucket all the time within kicking distance of my right 
foot, and chuckling at the idea of what a splash I 
would make when I should give my last kick ! 



DEFENCE OF THE STAGE. 



A FRIENDLY LETTER TO THE REY. DR. 
BEECHER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO. 

Boston, Sunday Evening ', Aug. 13, 1843. 

Sir — The newspapers have given the substance of 
a discourse delivered by you at the Tremont Theatre, 
soon after that building came into the possession of 
its present proprietors. When that discourse was 
delivered, I was in St. Louis, nearly one thousand 
miles from Boston. Business has brought me here, 
and I take leave to address you a few lines on the 
subject of your address, conceiving there are some 
parts of it, if correctly reported, somewhat excep- 
tionable — at least, likely to be so considered by mem- 
bers of the theatrical profession. 

I make no apology for addressing you through the 
columns of the press. We are personally unac- 
quainted with each other ; and to be plain with you — 
for "bluntness is my trade" — I am not very desirous 
of an introduction. You are a preacher of the Gos- 
pel — I am nothing but an actor — and a poor one, at 
that, in every sense of the word ; — You are in posses- 
sion of a princely income, as payment for advocating 
the cause of the meek and lowly Jesus — lam strug- 
gling for a precarious subsistence in my capacity of a 
20* (237) * 



238 DEFENCE OF THE STAGE. 

stage-player — occasionally adding a little to my in- 
come by appearing " in the character" of a lawyer 
in our courts of justice. I may add that you stand 
at the head of a powerful sect of professing Christians 
in the United States, while I am content to claim 
membership in the lowest rank of artists called his- 
trions. I presume if I were to seek a conversation 
with you at your splendid mansion, I should be 
spurned from your door, as unworthy to press your 
carpet with my unhallowed feet — the name of " Sol. 
Smith, the actor," announced in your study, would 
probably be the signal for bolting your door — indeed, 
if the report of your discourse at the Tremont be a 
true one — and I have no reason to doubt that it is — 
you must entertain a " lodged hate" — a " certain 
loathing," for all poor sinners of our class. There- 
fore it is that I do not seek a personal interview, but 
say what I have to say, thus publicly. 

You are represented to have made your "first ap- 
pearance on the Tremont boards" before a "house 
crowded from pit to gallery;" and it is said you "re- 
turned thanks to Almighty God for having changed 
the place, which was once the seat of Satan and his 
works, into Christ's Holy Temple ;" and prayed that 
"all theatres might soon become temples of God; 
and that Satan, their great head, might immediately 
be driven back to his appropriate home, the bottom- 
less pit." You are said to have dwelt particularly 
upon the " bad character of actors and actresses," 
and to have asserted of theatres that " there was no 
redeeming quality about them — they were evil, and 
that continually — they were the fruitful source of all 
vice — [all !] — the great social exchange where sinners 



239 LETTER TO DR. BEECHER. 

of all grades, colors, and description, assembled to 
barter away and sell their immortal souls." 

Now, Mr. Beecher, read over the above quotations, 
while quietly sitting in your closet, and how do they 
look in print ? Do not your denunciations strike you 
as being rather on the wholesale order ? How dif- 
ferent — how widely different — was the language of 
your master and mine, while tabernacling upon the 
earth ! Without the slightest attempt at proof to 
support your assertions, you throw out an accusation 
against the whole community of actors. You stand 
up in the pulpit, (late the social exchange of sinners,) 
and before three thousand people, drawn together by 
your great fame as a speaker, and by curiosity to 
witness the cleansing of the Augean stable, by the 
river of your eloquence, and point at a large class of 
your fellow citizens, branding the whole of them as 
bad characters ! Without particularizing their crimes 
— without affording them an opportunity of defence, 
you consign thousands of your fellow mortals to 
infamy — or in other words, send them to the Devil ! 
You must not be surprised, then, doctor, if the com- 
munity you have so unsparingly denounced and slan- 
dered — yes, slandered !— do not sit calmly down 
under the imputations cast upon them. A worm, 
when trodden upon, will turn upon a giant. 

In the name of my professional brothers and sisters, 
I deny that, as a class, they are obnoxious to the 
charges you have brought against them. I deny that 
the theatre is an exchange where sinners barter away 
their souls — and I am willing to take the late Tre- 
mont Theatre, with all its faults, as a specimen of all 
theatres in the United States — and I pronounce your 



240 



DEFENCE OF THE STAGE. 



attempt to fix upon all actors and actresses the title 
of "bad characters," uncharitable, unfair, and un- 
manly. To deny that the institution of the theatre 
is sometimes abused, and its objects perverted, or 
that some members of our profession are faulty, would 
be to deny that managers, actors, and actresses are 
human beings. But let the professors of the stage be 
compared with those of any other calling — nay, let 
them be compared, (and I invite the comparison,) 
with the occupants of the pulpit — let the moral cha- 
racter of each class be set side by side before the 
world, and the result need not be feared by the much 
abused histrions. 

If we thought proper to " carry the war into 
Africa," we might retort upon the pulpit, and point 
out instances, (and not a few, either,) where all the 
wholesome restraints of society have been broken 
through, and trampled under foot by preachers of 
eminence — where the sanctity of the domestic circle 
has been invaded — the obligations of the marriage 
vow have been broken — confidence has been betrayed, 
and fathers and husbands have been compelled to 
seek redress in courts of justice for injuries inflicted 
on their daughters and their wives, by hypocrites 
who use religion as a cloak to hide their hellish pro- 
pensities. One would suppose, doctor, to hear you, 
and such as you, speak of actors and actresses, that 
in your profession there is no acting — that, from the 
holy horror with which you pour forth your denun- 
ciations against the poor players, you would shrink 
from employing any of the arts you condemn so un- 
sparingly in the actor. I assert that many of you 
make a trade of religion. To say nothing of the 



LETTER TO DR. BBECHER. 241 

attempt that was made to raise money by exhibiting 
the Tremont Theatre as it stood when the wicked 
actors left it — in all its glare of splendid scenery, 
rich decoration, and gas lights — you every week cun- 
ningly contrive out ways and means to gull the public 
and obtain money from sinners as well as saints — 
that at your meetings you resort to all manner of 
tricks to obtain contributions for pretended charities, 
and for the support of missions to distant countries, 
with the professed object of saving heathen souls, 
while your next-door neighbor is perishing for bread; 
that, contrary to the command of our Saviour, who 
directed that we should receive the gospel " without 
money and without price," you take care to confine 
your labors to such congregations as will pay you a 
price — and a very good price, too — that you " accept 
of engagements," like the actors, where the highest 
salaries are given — that the louder the call, the more 
likely you are to hear it — and that instead of treating 
your fellow sinners kindly, and drawing them by 
affectionate remonstrances from what you consider 
their evil ways, you denounce them in a lot, and, so 
far as in you lies, shut the door of grace upon them ! 
It would appear to me, reverend sir, that on the 
occasion of taking formal possession of the Tremont 
Theatre — the late " seat of Satan and his works," 
since you will have it so — « temperate and forbearing 
tone would have been more becoming your character 
and situation. Considering that you had succeeded 
in turning old Satan and about one hundred sinners 
out of doors — the sinners to starve, perhaps, and 
Satan to look out for other quarters — the air of 
triumph you assumed, and the sentences of condemna- 



212 



DEFENCE OF THE STAGE. 



tion you uttered, were unworthy of you. You had 
hurled the Muses, neck and heels, from the premises — ■ 
you had deprived their humble followers of the means 
of earning their bread — was that a time to indulge in 
scoffs and maledictions ? Was that the way to purify 
the unholy spot ? 

How is it, that our Lord Jesus Christ— for he is 
my Lord as well as yours — did not say a word against 
theatres when on earth ? I do not find a sentence of 
his recorded which implies that there is any sin in 
social amusements; on the contrary, the Bible is full 
of injunctions to cultivate a cheerful disposition. I 
need only to refer to the fact of David's dancing 
before the Ark, to show that dancing is pleasing in 
the sight of God. Speaking of David — read his 
Psalms, and you will find in those incomparable 
poems, that rejoicing and clapping of hands — playing 
upon instruments, of all the kinds then invented — 
skipping, and making "joyful noises," formed most 
of the themes of the mighty poet. If I am not mis- 
taken, (I have not my Testament with me to refer to) 
one of the apostles took refuge in a theatre, which 
proved to him a safe sanctuary when pursued by a 
ruthless mob. Our Saviour dwelt among sinners — 
gently leading them into the paths of virtue. How 
different is the conduct of his pretended followers of 
the present day — how different from the course pur- 
sued by the apostles in the early ages of Christianity ! 
Instead of " going forth into all the ends of the earth 
to preach the Gospel to all nations," without coin or 
scrip, your modern preachers must live upon the fat 
of the land, dwell in splendid mansions, be in receipt 
of stipulated salaries, and instead of spreading the 



LETTER TO DR. BEECHER. 243 

blessed tidings of the Gospel to the inhabitants of 
heathen lands, they confine their teachings to their 
own favored flocks — unless some temple of Satan is 
to be purified — then, indeed, a reverend divine can 
travel hundreds of miles — not, as in pilgrim times, 
bareheaded and barefooted — but in steamers, railroad 
cars, and coaches, to fulfil a prophecy made by him- 
self before he was "called" to the west! Then, 
instead of extending the hand of charity to the house- 
less individuals who have thought it no sin to " labor 
in their vocation," and if he thinks their calling 
sinful, telling them to " GO and sin no more," he 
can brand a whole community with infamy — pro- 
nounce them all "bad characters" — andean "dine 
after that!" 

But stop — what am I about ? Let me not fall into 
the same error I am condemning in others. All 
preachers are not to be answerable for the faults of a 
portion of them. I have known some orthodox 
preachers (and I record it with pleasure) who were 
honest, charitable, and christianly. I only wished to 
show, that bad as actors are, or may be, as a class, 
they will lose nothing by a comparison with preachers. 
In all the practices of active benevolence, I religiously 
believe they rank far above them. 

I would suggest to you, my fellow sinner, that if 
you really believe actors and actresses to be the " bad 
characters" you represented them to be in your ser- 
mon, it is your bounden duty to preaeh to them — point 
out to them the sinfulness of their calling — reason 
with them — draw them from their evil ways, if they 
are evil — and, by treating them kindly, convince them 



244 DEFENCE OF THE STAGE. 

that you are indeed the minister of that blessed Re- 
deemer you profess to serve. 

If you and your congregations would attend the- 
atrical exhibitions — (for, depend upon it, Doctor, you 
cannot " put them down ") — applaud the good senti- 
ments, and express your disapprobation of everything 
calculated to produce an immoral effect upon the 
audience — in short, if you and they would co-operate 
with us, and endeavor to purge the stage of its im- 
purities, instead of endeavoring as you do to extermi- 
nate it, much good might be effected, and the drama 
might nourish as the adjunct of Christianity. 

I did intend to say something about Satan — for I 
do think you treat that imaginary being rather cava- 
lierly, taking into consideration the fact that he is al- 
ways at hand as a convenient scare-crow to " drive 
the stray lambs into the fold," and that you could not 
carry on your business a week without him, — but 
upon second thoughts, I have concluded to say 
nothing in his behalf. Send him back " to the bot- 
tomless pit," Doctor, as soon as you like — and a good 
riddance, I say. 

At some future period, I propose to discuss at some 
length the usefulness of the stage. At present I 
fear I have wearied your patience, with my desultory 
and disjointed strictures. I will conclude by recom- 
mending to your consideration the 7th chapter of 
Matthew, 1st to 5th, and 21st to 23d verses. 

Hoping you will receive this letter in as kind a 
spirit as that which dictates it, and advising you to 
cultivate Christian feelings, I remain, 

Dear Sir, your fellow laborer in the vineyard, 

Sol. Smith. 



REPLY TO THE REV. W. G. ELLIOT. 245 



A REPLY TO THE REV. W. G. ELLIOT OF 
ST. LOUIS. 

Extract from a Lecture on Amusements. 

BY THE EEV. W. G. ELLIOT. 

"It is a fair objection to the theatre, that, as an amusement, it 
is too exciting — by far too much so for a beneficial influence on the 
young. It often unfits their minds for serious thoughts and labor. 
To older persons it may not be so hurtful ; but for the young man, 
I do not know of any habit, initself not positively sinful, which is more 
injurious, or more fraught with serious danger, than that of theatre- 
going. It stimulates the imagination too strongly; it awakens dor- 
mant passions ; it overtasks the sensibilities ; and generally makes 
more quiet and less exciting amusements seem flat and tasteless. It 
is, moreover, an expensive amusement, much beyond the proper 
means of most young men — and, unfoi'tunately, it is surrounded with 
many incidental evils, which, although theoretically not inseparable 
from it, are always practically attendant upon it — as camp followers 
are an evil inseparable from the camp. I appeal to yourselves if it 
is not true, that the young man who becomes fond of the theatre is 
very likely to become immoral and dissipated. Believing that it is 
so, I feel justified in advising you strongly against it. Select more 
quiet and less dangerous amusements. At least wait until you are 
well established in virtue, before you subject yourselves to such 
severe tests ; and when you are thus established, the desire to set 
a good example to those whose principles are not yet equally con- 
firmed, may become a still stronger motive for staying away." 

At various times, during my professional life, I 
have felt called upon to make comments, through the 
press, upon the strictures of certain reverend gentle- 
men, who have thought proper to denounce the insti- 
tution of the theatre as demoralizing in its tendency. 
Among the so called "divines," (what a title for human 
beings !) to whom I have paid my respects, I may 
name Mr. Bullard, of this city, and Mr. Beecher, 

21 



246 



DEFENCE OF THE STAGE. 



of Cincinnati. These preachers of the gospel of 
Jesus Christ — one on the occasion of delivering a 
sermon on the death of President Harrison, and the 
other at a sort of holy triumphant celebration, held 
on the occasion of the conversion of the Tremont 
Theatre, (Boston,) into a church — took upon them- 
selves the offices of judges of their fellow-sinners, 
and, instead of obeying the command of the master 
they pretend to serve, which required his followers to 
go forth to all the world and preach good will to 
all men, passed sentence of unconditional condemna- 
tion, not only upon the professors of the stage, but 
upon all who encouraged its representations by their 
presence in the passive characters of auditors. 

It may be asked why I, out of the whole community 
of actors in this extensive country, should take upon 
myself the task of defending the theatre. I answer, 
because I feel it to he my duty, and because I do not 
perceive others, far more able to do justice to the 
cause, step forward, as it appears to me they should, 
to defend their profession, when assailed. 

Being a great admirer of the Rev. Mr. Elliot, whom 
I know to be a good man and an exemplary Christian, 
I confess I was not prepared to find him following so 
far in the wake of the orthodox gentlemen above 
named, as to advise his young hearers to discounte- 
nance an institution which has been advocated and up- 
held by a vast majority of the great and good men 
of all ages, and in all countries where civilization and 
refinement have prevailed to any extent. I thought 
we had one church at least, in St. Louis, whose pulpit 
was occupied by a man who, while he was strictly 
faithful to his trust, and watchful over the moral con- 



REPLY TO THE REV. W. G. ELLIOT. 247 

duct of his parishioners, would rise above the petty 
prejudices which unfortunately, to some extent, exist 
against the institution referred to; and if he could 
not conscientiously assist in dissipating those preju- 
dices, that he would at least refrain from giving 
countenance to the war of extermination waged by 
interested and bigoted clergyman against the theatre, 
leaving his congregation to exercise their own judg- 
ments, and obey the dictates of their own consciences, 
(influenced, if you please, by his excellent general 
teachings,) on the subject of amusements. 

Before attempting to controvert the opinions of 
Mr. Elliot, as expressed above, it is with pleasure I 
award to that gentleman great sincerity and honesty 
of purpose in all his acts and words. His language, 
correctly quoted at the head of this article, it need 
not be said, is that of a gentleman, a scholar, and a 
Christian ; and its style is referred to only for the pur- 
pose of remarking upon the striking difference be- 
tween it and that of the language generally made use 
of by the orthodox "gentlemen in black" gowns, who 
have heretofore taken upon themselves the offices of 
censors of the stage, and, in consequence, claimed my 
attention. 

I will now state, concisely, Mr. Elliot's reasons for 
advising young people to stay away from the theatre : 

1. The theatre, as an amusement, is too exciting, 
and, therefore, fraught with serious danger. 

2. It is too expensive. 

3. It is surrounded with many incidental evils, 
which are always practically attendant upon it, though 
not theoretically inseparable from it. 



248 DEFENCE OF THE STAGE. 

4. It leads young men to become immoral and dis- 
sipated. 

To be sure, all these are mere assertions ; but as 
they are made in sincerity, and doubtless in the full 
belief of their truth, let us examine them separately : 

It is said, that the theatre is " too exciting." 
Now, it appears to me that if the tendency of stage 
representations be for good, they cannot be " too 
exciting ;" but if for evil, then the gentleman is right. 
When the heart throbs with the feelings of patriotism 
and virtuous indignation against tyranny and oppres- 
sion ; when the eye of youth fills with tears of sorrow 
for suffering virtue ; when the cheek burns with indig- 
nation at successful villainy — all the effect of the poet's 
language and the actor's power — will it be said that 
these aroused feelings are to be suppressed, because they 
are " exciting ?" I say to you, friend Elliot, that so 
far from the amusement of the theatre being " too 
exciting" for the young, it would be better for the 
moral condition of the world, if the excellent senti- 
ments promulgated from the stage, could be more 
universally disseminated than they are. That the 
cold, formal teachings of the pulpit have their uses, is 
not denied ; but the practical lessons acted before the 
auditor at the theatre, from the very fact that they 
are more " exciting," are more lasting, and conse- 
quently more useful. 

I conclude, then, on this point, that a play cannot 
be "too exciting," if the moral be good, and the 
tendency of the sentiment ennobling to human nature. 
Let the pulpit, therefore, confine its censures and 
strictures to immoral stage representations, and 



REPLY TO THE REV. GL W. ELLIOT. 249 

cherish those which tend to refine, ameliorate and 
improve society. 

The second objection to the theatre as an amusement 
— that it is too expensive — may be answered in a few 
words. Let there be a very general attendance, 
(allowing it to be deserving of support) and the prices 
of admission can be proportionately reduced. This 
has already been exemplified in our own theatre. Not- 
withstanding the anathemas occasionally launched 
forth from the pulpit, the attendance has so increased 
within late years that the admission fee has been 
reduced one-half! So it is not very "expensive," 
after all ; and if young men are moderate in their en- 
joyment of dramatic amusements — visiting the theatre 
only once or twice a week — it will not be very " hurt- 
ful" to them, I imagine, in a pecuniary point of view, 
(in which view I suppose this objection is made,) and 
they will have something left for pew rent, preacher's 
salary, and the missionary box too. Taking into 
view the quality of the various amusements, it appears 
to me there is none so cheap as that of the theatre. 

The charge that the theatre is " surrounded with 
incidental evils," I scarcely know how to meet, unless 
the evils are more particularly specified. In the 
absence of such specifications, I hope it will not be 
thought unfair to assume that the lecturer referred to 
those truly objectionable adjuncts to some theatres — 
the bar-room and the third tier. If I am right in this 
assumption, it is sufficient to say that here in St. 
Louis, there has been no saloon or bar-room carried 
on in the theatre for ten years ; and that the third 
tier is frequented by as honest and virtuous a set of 
21* 



250 



DEFENCE OF THE STAGE. 



auditors, male and female, as can be found in any 
community — of colored people. 

And here I must complain of the illiberality and 
positive unfairness of all the clergymen in this city 
who oppose the theatre, as they say, upon principle ; 
for while they very willingly and with apparent can- 
dor admit, in private, that the establishment here is 
an exception to the generality of theatres, and, indeed, 
that its directors deserve credit for the manner in 
which it is conducted, in the pulpit they do not give 
us the benefit of this exception, but class all theatres 
together indiscriminately, and indiscriminately con- 
demn them all ! 

The fourth objection, that going to the theatre leads 
young men to become immoral and dissipated, is con- 
troverted thus : — They learn there the best lessons 
taught by history and experience ; they meet the best 
society ; they pass their time pleasantly — commit no 
sin — and retire to their homes satisfied that they have 
spent the evening in rational enjoyment. " Dissipa- 
tion" has no more connection with the theatre than 
with the church. If a man is desirous of indulging 
in the intoxicating cup, he can obtain it, (and will,) as 
easily after attending a lecture or prayer meeting, as 
after witnessing a theatrical performance. 

Instead of theatre-going being an injury to the 
young, (or the old either, for that matter,) I insist 
that it is a positive benefit ; and I hope to live long 
enough to see the respectable portion of our pulpit 
orators throw aside the long cherished prejudices, and 
come out in its support. Come, gentlemen of the long 
robe, what do you say to a " combination" between 
the church and the theatre, against the devil and all 



REPLY TO THE REV. G. W. ELLIOT. 251 

nis works ? Instead of endeavoring to put down the 
theatre, which you cax never do, suppose you preach 
against the abuses which exist in it — recommend your 
hearers to witness none but good plays — moral plays 
— plays which are plays ! Tell the young men to 
stay away when the trash which managers are some- 
times compelled to offer, is announced, and crowd the 
house when a sterling piece is brought out ! 

If preachers will follow my advice, and let it be 
understood that they uphold the good and condemn 
the bad of the theatre, they can then incorporate into 
their sermons some of the sentiments of our fine old 
dramatists, and instead of quoting as they now fre- 
quently do, surreptitiously, some good sentiments 
from a play, and shuffle it over with a half-uttered 
reference to "the poet," they could quote boldly from 
Shakspeare, Johnson, Home, and other play writers, 
and give them due credit for their sentiments. More 
than a thousand times have I heard passages from 
Shakspeare quoted in the pulpit, and never but once 
did I hear that poet's name mentioned there ; and 
then the minister said, he valued the plays of Shaks- 
peare next to his Bible ! The minister here spoken 
of gave this rule as the proper one to be followed by 
all Christians, in relation to amusements : " Never to 
go to any place where you are not willing to die /" An 
excellent rule, I humbly think ; and one which, if fol- 
lowed by us all, (preachers as well as players,) might 
be considered a safe guide through life. 

For twenty-five years I have followed the stage as 
a profession. If I thought it a sinful one, I would 
leave it to-morrow — nay to-night; though a large 



252 DEFENCE OF THE STAGE. 

family is dependent on my professional exertions for 
support — my children for their education. 

If my own motives and feelings are known to my- 
self, my aim has always been, so far as my limited 
influence extended, to elevate the drama ; or rather to 
so conduct my course in the management of such 
theatres as have been wholly or partially under my 
direction, as to maintain the stage in its proper 
position among the professions. This I have effected, 
so far as the public would sustain me ; and, in con- 
clusion, I invite all who believe that theatre-going is 
attended with injurious effects, to examine well the 
subject — discard all illiberal prejudices, exercise a 
Christian spirit towards those who differ with them in 
opinion, and pause before they publicly utter opinions, 
which, if concurred in by the community in which we 
live, would consign to want and starvation all who are 
engaged in the theatre ; consisting of no less than 
sixty or seventy individuals, who, for virtue, intelli- 
gence and honesty, (leaving myself out of the party,) 
may safely challenge a comparison with those who 
seem disposed to deprive them of their bread. 

[1848] SOL. SMITH. 



LETTER FROM EX-PRESIDENT LAMAR. 



Galveston, Texas, 10th January, 1849. 
Dear Sol.. — 

If, in consequence of my long silence, you have 
been induced, as I fear you have, to drop me from 
your "list of friends," I hope you will not deny me 
the privilege, under fair explanation, of reinstating 
myself in your good graces ! Our acquaintance be- 
gan at that halcyon period of life, when the heart is 
most susceptible of strong and lasting impressions ; 
and I can assure you, my old friend, that the attach- 
ment which then grew up between us, making us two 
as one man, has not been weakened in me by the 
flight of years ; but on the contrary it has rather been 
improved by time, the great maturer, which converts 
the flowers of spring into the ripe and pleasant fruits 
of autumn. My life, like your own, has been some- 
what checkered by adventure; but I account it one 
of the greatest blessings of fortune, that amidst all 
her buffetings, she has not deprived me of the cheer- 
ful companion of my happier days — the " friend of 
my soul" — my old Sol. Smith. A three-years entomb- 
ment of myself in Mexico and the frontier wilds has 
prevented my receiving your little book, which you 
kindly dedicated to me, and which now meets my 
sight for the first time. Its laughing tone and ani- 
mated stories, show that you have not lost the joyous 
spirit of your younger years — that you are still the 

(253) 



254 LETTER FROM EX-PRESIDENT LAMAR. 

man of "infinite jest," in spite of all your ups and 
downs; and surely, ray friend, if the ancients were 
right in saying that a brave man struggling with ad- 
versity, was a sight worthy of the gods, I know of 
no claimant more worthy of their favors than yourself 
— than you who have contributed so much to lighten 
the burthens of others, while bravely bearing your 
own. You have "played many parts " in your time — 
have played them all well, and most certainly none 
better than that of the true "philosopher and 
friend." Then "here's a double health to thee," old 
Sol. Long life and a happy one to him who knows 
how to enjoy prosperity with gratitude, and whose 
happy alchemy of mind can turn even misfortune into 
pleasantry. "All the world's a stage;" but the 
" farce, tragedy and comedy " of life will soon be 
over. Let us then, my friend, endeavor so to act the 
parts assigned us here, as may secure to us a good 
cast and full benefits in that sublimer theatre which 
will be opened hereafter by the great Manager above, 
when the universe shall be the audience and eternity 
the curtain. 

Your Friend, 

MIRABEAU B. LAMAR. 

Sol. Smith, Esq., 

Manager of the St. Charles Theatre, N. 0. 



THE END. 



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1®°* The best way is to look through the Catalogue, and see 
what is in it. You will be amply repaid for your trouble. 

B@~ IN PRESS,— And will be ready soon. *@g 

The Lost Heiress; a Story of Howlet Hall. By Mis. Southwoith, au- 
thor of •' Curse of Clifton," " The Deserted Wife," " Discarded Daughter," " Mother-in- 
Law," " Shanoondale," " The Fester Sisters," etc. The Lost Heiress will be found to be 
superior to any former work ever written by Mrs. Southworth. Complete in two 
volumes. Price fifty cents a -volume ; or handsomely bound in cloth, $1.-5. 

Sol. Smith's New Book. Tiie Theatrical Journey-Work and 
Anecdotical Recollections of Sol. Smith, Esq., Comedian, Attorney 
at Law, etc., author of " Sol. Smith's Theatrical Apprenticeship," with a beautiful 
portrait of Sol. Smith. It comprises a sketch of the second Seven years of his pro- 
fessional life, together with some sketches of Adventure in after years. "The web of 
our life is of a mingled yarn — good and ill together." It will be found to be superior 
to anything of the kind ever before published. Complete in one volume, with a beau- 
tifully illustrated cover. Price 50 cents. 

Freaks of Fortune ; or, the Life and Adventures of Ned Lorn« 
By J. B. Jones, author of " Wild Western Scenes," " Rival Belles," " Life and Adven- 
tures of Col. Yanderbomb," etc. It will be found to be one of the most thrilling and 
entertaining works ever issued from the press. Complete in one volume. 

Trials of a Needlewoman. By T. S. Arthur. Price 25 cents. 

Mysteries of the Court of Q,ueen Anne. By William Harrison Ainswot'th. 
Price 50 cents. 

Ladye of Albarone. By George Lippard. Price 50 cents. 

The Blan-of-War's-Man. By Eugene Sue. Price 25 cents. 

Mysteries of the Court of the Stuarts. Price 50 cents. 

Life and Adventures of Percival Mayberry, Price 50 cents. 

The Rival Belles. By J. B. Jones. Price 50 cents. 

Mysteries of a Convent. By a now noted Methodist Preacher. 
Published by T. B. PETERSON, 

No. 103 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, _. 

vSSSS&BBm SSatS SSSm ■■ i i. Ji !■■ r Hi 1 1 i ii ■■»••" i i mSmSBSSSSmSSBamK 

£^,Read th© List of New Books in Press. "©S 



T B B. PETERSON, 
No. 102 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 

HAS JUST PUBLISHED AND FOR SALE, 

STEREOTYPE EDITIONS OF THE FOLLOWING WORKS, 

Which will be found to be the Best and Latest Publications, by tie 
Most Popular Writers in the World. 

THE TRADE SUPPLIED AT THE LOWEST RATES, AND 
ALL ORDERS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO. 

J05- Every work published in this Country for Sale here, either at 
Wholesale or Retail. 

ELLEN PICKERING'S NOVELS. 

Either of which can be had separately. Price 25 cents each, or any fire cf them for 
One Do'.iar. They are printed on the finest white paper, and each forms one large 
octavo volume, complete in itself, neatly bound in a strong paper cover. 

THE ORPHAN NIECE. THE PRINCE AND 
KATE WALSINGHAM, THE PEDLER. 

THE POOR COUSIN. THE MERCHANT'S 
ELLEN WAREHAM. DAUGHTER. 

THE GRUMBLER. THE HEIRESS. 

THE QUIET HUSBAND. THE FRIGHT. 

"WHO SHALL BE HEIR. NAN DARRELL. 

THE SECRET FOE. THE SQUIRE. 

AGNES SERLE. THE EXPECTANT* 

CAPTAIN MARRYATT'S WORKS. 

Either of which can be had separately. Price of all except the Wo last are 25 ceots 
each, or any five of them for One Dollar. They are printed on the finest white paper, 
and each forms one large octavo volume, complete in itself. 

PETER SIMPLE. NEWTON FORSTER. 

JACOB FAITHFUL. 

JAPHET IN SEARCH OF A FATHER. 

THE PHANTOM SHIP. 

MIDSHIPMAN EASY. 

THE PACHA OF MANY TALES. 

THE KING'S OWN. 

THE PIRATE AND THREE CUTTERS. 

THE NAVAL OFFICER. 

SNARLEYYOW, or the Dog Fiend. 

PERCIVAL KEENE. 200 pages. Price Fifty cents. 

POOR .TACK. 200 pages. Price Fifty cents. 

SEA KING. 203 pages. Price Fifty cents. 

VALERIE. His last Novel. Price Fifty cents. 

T. S. ARTHUR'S WORKS. 

Either of which can be had separately. Price 25 cents each, or any five of them for 
One Dollar. They are the most mcval, popular and entertaining in the world. There 
are no better books to place in the hands of the young. All will profit by them. 

THE DIVORCED WIFE. THE ORPHAN CHILDREN. 

THE BANKER'S WIFE. THE DEBTOR'S DAUGHTER. 

PRIDE AND PRUDENCE. INSUBORDINATION. 

CECILIA HOWARD. LUCY SANDFORD. 

THE BROKEN PROMISE. AGNES, or the Possessed. 



LOVE IN A COTTAGE. THE TWO BRIDES. 

LOVE IN HIGH LIFE. THE IRON RULE. 

THE TWO MERCHANTS. LADY AT HOME. » 



m 



delightful book of the season. Price Fifty cents. 



fljg === == ' = £g 

T.'B. PETERSON'S LIST OE PUBLICATIONS. 3 
MRS. GREY'S NOVELS. 

Either of which can be had separately. Price 25 cents each, or any fire of them foi 
One Dollar. They are printed on ihe finest white paper, and each forms one large 
octavo volume, complete in itself, neatly bound in a strong paper coyer. 

THE GIPSY'S DAUGHTER. 

THE 3£LIiS OF THE FAMILY. 

SYBIL LB.ViSARD. A Record of Woman's Life. 

THE DUKE AND THE COUSIN. 

THE LITTLE WIFE. 

THE MANOEUVRING MOTHER. 

LENA CAMERON, «*r the Four Sisters. 

THE BARONET'S DAUGHTERS. 

THE YOUNG PRIMA DONNA. I 

THE OLD DOWER HOUSE. 

HYACINTHE, OR THE CONTRAST. 

ALICE SEYMOUR. HARRY MONK. 

MARY SEAHAiU. 250 Pages. Price Fifty cents. 

ALEXANDER DUMAS' WORKS. 

The Iron Mask, or the Feats and Adventures of Raoul de 

Brageloane. Being the conclusion of "The Three Guardsmen," "Twenty Years 
After," and "Bragelonne." By Alexandre Dumas. Complete in two large volumes, 
of 420 octavo pages, with beautifully Illustrated Covers, Portraits, and Engravings. I 
Price One Dollar. 

Louise La Valliere ; or the Second Series and Final End of the 

"Iron Mask." By Alexandre Dum-as. This work is the final end of "The Three 
Guardsmen," "Twenty Years After," •' Bragelouue," and "The Iron Mask," and is of 
far more interesting and absorbing interest, than any of its predecessors. Complete 
in two large octavo volumes of over 400 pages, printed on tbe best of paper, beauti- 
fully illustrated. It also contains correct Portraits of " Louise La Valliere," and " The 
Hero of the Iron Mask." Price for the entire work, One Dollar. I 

Tiie Memoirs ot a Physician; or the Secret History of Louts 
the Fifteenth. By Alexandre Dumas. It is beautifully embellished with thirty 
engravings, which illustrates the principal scenes and characters of the different hero- , 
ines throughout the work. Complete in two large octavo volumes. Price Fifty cents j 
a volume. 

The Queen's Necklace! or the Secret History of the Court of 
Louis the Sixteenth. A Sequel to the Memoirs of a Physician. By Alexandre j 
Dumas. It is beautifully Illustrated with portraits of the heroines of the work. 
Complete in two large octavo volumes of over 400 pages. Price Fifty cents a volume, i 

Six Years Later; or the Taking of the Bastile. By Alexandre Dumas. | 

Being tte continuation and final conclusion of "The Queen s Necklace; or the Secret ! 

History of the Court of Louis the Sixteenth," and " Memoirs of a Physician." Com- | 
plete in two large octavo volumes. Price One Dollar. 

Sketches in France. By Alexandre Dumas. "It is as good a book ns Thack- ! 
eray's Sketches in Ireland." Dumas never wrote a better book. It is the most j 

rlaMrrh (-fnl Vtnnlr nf f.Tio apflsnn Pripa TTiff.v r»anfa 



m 



Diana of Meridor; The Lady of Monsoreau; or France in the Six- | 

ceenth Century. By Alexandre Dumas. An Historical Romance. Complete in two j 

large octavo volumes of 538 pages, printed on the finest white paper, wi*h numerous j 
illustrative engravings. Price One Dollar. 

The Reign of Terror; Genevieve, or the Chevalier of the Maison Rouge. 
By Alexandre Dumas. An Historical Romance of the French Revolution. Complete 
in one large octavo volume of over 200 pages, printed on the finest white paper, with 
numerous illustrative engravings. Price for the entire work, Fifty cents. 

I>iahel of Bavaria ; or the Chronicles of France for the reign of Charles the Sixth. 
Complete in one fine octavo volume of 211 pages, printed on tho finest wkite^pa^or. 
Price Fitly cents. 

Kdmond Dantes. Being the Sequel to Dumas' celebrated novel of the Cea&S sf 

Monte Cristo. With elegant illustrations. Complete in one large octavo volxiaa ©f 
over 200 pages. Price Fifty cents. 



4 T. B. PETEBSOFS LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. 
CHARLES LEVEE'S NOVELS. 

Charles O'Malley, the Irish Dragoon. By Chai-les Lever. Complete in one 
large octavo volume of 324 pages. Price Fifty cents; or handsomely bound in one 
volume, illustrated. Price One Dollar. 

The Knight of Gwynne. A tale of the time of the Union. By Charles Lever. 
Complete iu one fiue octavo volume of 226 pages, beautifully illustrated, and printed 
ou the finest white paper. Price Fifty cents ; or handsomely bound in one volume, 
illustrated. Price One Dollar. 

Jack. Hinton, the Guardsman. By Charles Lever. Complete in one large 
octavo volume of 400 pages, printed on fine white paper. Price Fifty cents; or hand- 
somely bound in one volume, illustrated. Price One Dollar. 

Tom Burke of Ours. By Charles Lever. Complete in one large octavo volume 
of 300 pages, printed from new type and on the finest paper. Price Fifty cents; or 
handsomely bound in one volume, illustrated. Price One Dollar. 

Arthur 0'l«eary. By Charles Lever. Complete in one large octavo volume of 220 
pages, full of beautiful illustrations, and printed in the best style. Price Fifty cents; 
or handsomely bound in one volume, illustrated. Price One Dollar. 

Kate O'Donoghue. A Tale of Ireland. By Charles Lever. Complete in 
one large octavo volume of 140 pages, beautifully illustrated, and printed on the finest 
white paper. Price 50 cents: or handsomely bound in one volume, illustrated 
Price Seventy-five cents. 

Horace Templeton. By Charles Lever. This is Lever's New Book, and equal 
to his best. Complete in one large octavo volume of 212 pages, and printed on the 
best of white paper. Price Fifty cents; or handsomely bound in one volume, illus- 
trated. Price One Dollar. 

Harry Ijorrequer. By Charles Lever, author of the above seven works. Com- 
plete in one octavo volume of 402 pages, printed from large new type, and on the 
finest paper. Price Fifty cents; or handsomely bound in one volume, illustrated 
Price One Dollar. 

W. HA&EISON AINSWORTH'S WORKS. 

The Illustrated Tower of London. By William Harrison Ainsworth 
"With 100 splendid engravings. It is beyond all doubt one of the most interesting 
■works ever published in the known world, and can be read and re-read with pleasure 
and satisfaction by every body. We advise all persons to get it and read it, for there 
is much to learn and valuable information to be gained from its pages, 'which cannot 
be obtained in any other work published in the known world. Two volumes, octavo- 
Price for the complete work, One Dollar; or handsomely bound, for $1 50. 

Pictorial Iiife and Adventures of Jack Sheppard, the most noted 
burglar, robber, and jail breaker, that ever lived. By William Harrisoa Ainsworth. 
Embellished with Thirty-nine, full page, spirited Illustrations. Designed and en- 
graved in the finest style of art, by George Cruikshank, Esq., of London. Price 50 cts. 

Pictorial Iiife and Adventures of Guy Fawkeg, The Chief of the 
Gunpowder Treason. By William Harrison Ainsworth. The Bloody Tower, etc. 
Illustrated. 200 pages. Price Fifty cents. 

The Pictorial Old St. Paul's. By William Harrison Ainsworth. Full of 
Illustrations. Price Fifty cents. 

Mysteries of the Court of --Queen Anne. By William Harrison Ains- 
worth. 142 pages. Price 25 cents. 

Illustrated Life of Dick Turpin, the Highwayman, Burglar, Murderer, etc. 
Price 25 cents. 

Iiife of Harry Thomas, the Western Burglar and Murderer. Full of Engra- 
vings. Pric^ 25 cents. 

Illustrated L.ife and Adventures of the Desperadoes of the 
New World. P ice 25 cents. 

Iiife and Adventures of Ninon De L'Enclos, with her Letters op Love, 
Courtship and Marriage. Price 25 cents. 

The Pictorial Newgate Calendar; or the Chronicles of Crime. Beautifully 
illustrated with Fifteen Engravings. 252 pages. Price Fifty cents. 

¥ % 



T. B. PETERSON'S LIST OF PUBLICATIONS, 5 
GEORGE LIPPARD'S WORKS. 

Washington and His Generals; or, Legends of the American Revolution. 
Complete in two large octavo volumes of 538 pages, printed on the finest white paper. 
Price for the entire work, One Dollar. 

The Quaker City; or the Monks of Monk Hall. A Romance of Phi- 
ladelphia Life, Mystery and Crime. Illustrated with numerous Engravings. Com- 
plete in two large octavo volumes of 500 pages. Price for the entire work, One Dollar. 

The Ladye of Alharone; or the Poison Goblet. A Romance of the 
Dark Ages. Lippard's Last "Work. Complete in one large octavo volume of 258 pages. 
Price Fifty cents. 

Paul Ardenheim; the Monk of Wissahikon. A Romance of the Revolution. 
Illustrated with numerous engravings. Complete in two large octavo volumes, of 
nearly 600 pages. Price One Dollar, 

Blanche of Brandywine ; or September the Eleventh, 1777. 

A Romance of the Poetry, Legends, and History of the Battle of Brandywine. It 
makes a large octavo volume of 350 pages, printed from new type, and on the finest 
white paper. Price for the complete work, 75 cents. 

Legends of Mexico: or Battles of General Zachary Taylor, 

late President of the United States. Complete in one octavo volume of 128 pages. 
Price 25 cents. 

The Nazarene ; or the Last of the Washington^. A Revelation ol 
Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, in the year 1844. Complete in one velume 
Price 50 cents. 

Bel of Prairie Eden. A Romance of Mexico. Price 25 cents. 

Professor LIEBXG'S Works on Chemistry. 

Agricultural Chemistry. Chemistry in its application to Agriculture and 
Physiology. 135 pages. Price 25 cents. 

Animal Chemistry. Chemistry in its application to Physiology and Pathology 
111 pages. Price 25 cents. 

Familiar Letters on Chemistry, and its relations to Commerce, Physiology 
and Agriculture. 

The Potato Disease. Researches into the motion of the Juices in the Animal 

Body. 

Chemistry and Physics in Relation to Physiology and Pa- 
thology. 

T. B. PETERSON also publishes a complete edition of Professor Liebig's works 
on Chemistry, comprising the whole of the ahove. They arc hound in one large royal 
octavo volume, in Muslin gilt. Price for the complete works bound in one volume One 
Dollar and Fifty cents. 

FRENCH. GERMAN, SPANISH, LATIN & ITALIAN LANGUAGES. 

Any person unacquainted with either of these languages, can, with the aid of these 
works, be enabled to read, write and speak the language of either, without the aid of a 
teacher, or anv oral instruction whatever, provided they pay strict attention to the in- 
structions laid down in each book, and that nothiug shall be passed over, without a 
thorough investigation of the subject it involves: by doing which, they will be able to 
speak, read or write either language, at their will and pleasure. 

Spanish "Without a Master. In Four Easy Lessons. 

French "Without a Master. In Six Easy Lessors 

Italian Without a Master. In Five Easy Lessons. 

German Without a Master. In Six Easy Lessons. 
Latin Without a Master. In Six Easy Lessons- 
Price of either of the above Works, separate, 25 cents — cr the whole five may be had 
for One Dollar. They can be sent by mail to any part of the United States for about 
four cents each. 

y - =m 



m — — 

6 T. B. PETERSONS LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. 



B. DISRAELI'S NOVELS. 

Vivian Grey. By B. D'Israeli, M. P. Complete in one large octavo volume of 225 

pages. Price Fifty cents. 

The Young Duke : or the Younger Days of George the Fourth. By B. ©'Israeli, 
M. P. One octavo volume, 154 pages. Price 37% cents. 

"Veuetia : or Lord Byron and his Daughter. By B. D'Israeli, M. P. Complete in one 
octavo volume of 154 pages. Price Fifty cents. 

Henrietta Temple. A Love Story. By B. D'Israeli, M. P. One volume, octavo, 
Price 50 cents. 

Contarini Fleming. An Autobiography. By B. D'Israeli, M. P. One volume, 
octavo. Price 37% cents. 

Miriam Alroy. A Romance of the Twelfth Century. By B. D'Israeli, M. P. One 
volume octavo. Price 37% cents. 

EUGENE SUE'S NOVELS. 

The Mysteries of Paris ; and Gerolstein, the Sequel to it. By Eugene 

Sue, author of the " Wandering Jew," and the greatest work eve; written. Complete 
in two volumes, octavo, each 50 cents. 

The Illustrated Wandering Jew. By Eugene Sue. With 87 large illus- 
trations. Two volumes, each 50 centa. 

The Female Bluebeard ; or, the Woman with many Hushands. By Eugene 
Sue. 115 pages. Price 25 cents. 



$L 



First Iiove. A Story of the Heart. By Eugene Sue. 114 pages. Price 25 centi. 
Temptation. A Novel. By Eugene Sue. Illustrated. Price 25 cents. 
The Salamander. A Tale of the Sea. By Eugen6 Sue. Price 25 cents. 
iiaoul de Surville ; or, the Times of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1810. 25 cents. 

Works by the Best and Most Popular Authors. 

The Cabin and Parlor; or, Slaves and Masters. A true history of 
" NORTH AND SOUTH." By J. Thornton Randolph. This book is fully equal in 
point of interest to " Uncle Tom's Cabin." 336 pages. Beautifully illustrated from 
original designs drawn by Stephens. Price Fifty cents in paper covers; or a finer 
edition, printed on thicker and better paper, and handsomely bound in muslin, gilt, 
is published for One Dollar. 

Iiife in the South. A companion to "Uncle Tom's Cabin." By C. H. Wiley. 

Beautifully illustrated from original designs by Darley. Price Fifty cents. 

Valentine Vox, the Ventriloquist. By Henry Cockton. 317 pages. Price 50 cts. 

Sketches in Ireland. By William M. Thackeray, author of "Vanity Fair," 
" History of Pendennis," etc. It is equal in every respect to " Vanity Fair." Price 50 cts. 

The Parricide; or the Youth's Career in Crime. By G. W. M. Reynolds. Illus- 
trated. Price 50 cents. 

Ten Thousand a Year. By the author of a "Diary of a London Physician." 

432 pages. Price 50 cents. 

First and True Iiove. A True Love Story. By George Sand, author of " Con- 
suelo," " Indiana," etc. It is one of the most charming and interesting works ever 
published. Full of Engravings. Price 50 cents. 

Cruising in the Last War. A Naval Story of the War of 1812. First and 
Second Sertes. Being the complete work, unabridged. By Charles J. Peterson. 228 
octavo pages. Price 50 cents. 

The Mob Cap: and Other Tales. By Mrs. Carolne Lee Henl z, author of 
" Linda," " Rena," etc. Price 50 cents. 

Ijife in Paris. By G. W. M. Reynolds, author of "Life in London," etc. Full of 
Engravings. Price 50 cents. 



w 



T. B. PETERSON'S LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. 



*L 



The Forged. Will. By Emerson Bennett, author of " Yiola," " Clara Morel and." 
"Bride of the Wilderness." "Pioneer's Daughter," "Kate Clarendon," "Walde- 
Warren," etc. This celebrated and beautiifal work is published complete in one 
large volume, of over 300 pages, paper cover, price 50 cents; or the work is handsomely 
bound in one volume, cloth, gilt, price $1 00. One hundred thousand copies of the 
Forged 'Will will be sold in a short time, and it will have a run and popularity second 
only to Uncle Tom's Cabin. The Press everywhere are unanimous in its praise, as 
being one of the most powerful written works in the language. 

The Roman Traitor; or, The Days o^f Cataline and Cicero. 
By Henry William Herbert, author of •' Cromwell," " The Brothers. 1 ' ^tc. This is 
one of the most powerful Roman stories in the English language, and is of itself 
sufficient to stamp the writer as a powerful man. The dark intrigues of the daj-s 
which Caesar. Sallust, and Cicero made illustrious ; when Cataline defied and almost 
defeated the Senate; when the plots which ultimately overthrew the Roman Republic 
were being formed, are described in a masterly manner. The book deserves a promi- 
nent position by the side of the great Bdlum Cutalinarium of Sallust, and if we 
mistake not. will not fail to occupy a prominent place among those produced in 
America. This splendid work is published complete in two large volumes, of ^ver 
250 pages each, paper cover, price 50 cents a volume, or the whole work is hand- 
somely bound in one volume, cloth, price One Dollar aud Twenty-five cents. 

Countess de Charny; or, The Fall of the French Monarchy.— 
By Alexander Dumas. This work is the final conclusion of the " Memoirs of a Phy- 
sician," "The Queens Necklace," and " Six Years Later, or Taking of the Bastile." 
All persons who have not read Dumas in this, his greatest and most instructive pro- 
duction, should begin at once, and no pleasure will be found so agreeable, and 
nothing in novel form so useful and absorbing. Complete in two volumes, beauti- 
fully illustrated. Price $1 00. 

Wild Oats sovrn Abroad; or, On and Off Soundings. By a gentle- 
man of leisure. It is the Private Journal of a Gentleman of Leisure and Education, 
and of a highly cultivated mind, in making the tour of Europe. Whoever buys the 
book and reads the opening chapter, we venture to say, would not part with it for 
ten times its cost, if he could not procure another. It is having a sale unprecedej led 
in the annals ot literature, for nothing equal to it in spiciness, vivacity, and real 
scenes and observations in daily travel, has ever appeared from the press. Complete 
in one volume, price 50 cents in paper cover, or 75 cents in cloth, gilt. 

Percy Effingham. By Henry Cockton, author of " Valentine Vox, the Ventrilo- 
quist," complete in one large octavo volume, price 50 cents. 

American Pocket Library of Useful Knowledge. New and en- 
larged edition, with numerous engravings. Twenty thousand copies sold. Price 50 
cents a copy only. We have never seen a volume embracing anything like the same 
quantity of useful matter. The work is really a treasure, and should speedily find 
its way into every family. It also contains a large and entirely new Map of the 
United States, with full page Portraits of the Presidents of the United States, 
from Washington until the present time, executed in the finest style of the art. 

Life and Adventures of Arthur Spring, the murderer of Mrs. Ellen 
Lynch and Mrs. Honora Shaw, with a complete history of his life and misdeeds, from 
the time of his birth until he was hung, illustrated with portraits. Price 25 cents. 

Cadet of Temperance; being a complete collection of Dialogues, Scenes, Re- 
citations, Songs, Odes, etc.. designed for the use of Sections in their public and private 
exhibitions. By James Knorr. Every child in the country should have it. Price 
25 cents a copy in paper cover, or 3T% cents in cloth, gilt. 

Henry Clay. Nagle's Correct, full-length, Mezzotinto Portrait and only true 
likeness ever published of the distinguished Statesman. Engraved by Sartain. 
Price $1 00 a copy only. Size, 22 by CO inches. Originally sold at $5 00 a copy. 

The Miser's Heir ; or The Young Millionaire. A story of a Guardian 
and his Ward. A Prize Novel. By P. H. Myers, author of the " Emigrant Squire." 
Price 50 cents in paper cover, or 75 cents iu cloth, gilt. 

Siege of Londonderry. A History of the Siege of Londonderry, and defence 
of Enniskillen, in 1688 and 16S9, by the Rev. John Graham. Price 37 cents. 

Rev. Albert Barnes on the Maine Liquor Law. The Throne 
of Iniqnity ; or sustaining Evil by Law. A discourse in behalf of a law pro- 
hibiting the traffic in intoxicating drinks. Price 12% cents. 

Woman. Discourse on Woman. Her sphere, duties, etc. By 
Lucretia Mott. Price 12% cents. 

"Victims of Amusements, by Martha Clark, and dedicated by the author to 
the Sabbath Schools of the land. One volume, cloth, gilt. Price 37% cents. 

Euchre. The Game of Euchre and its Laws. By a member of a 
Euchre Club of Philadelphia of Thirty Years standing. Price 12% cents. 



8 T. B. PETEKSON'S LIST O F PUBLICATIONS. 

Salathiel; or the Wandering Jew. By Rev. George Croly. Price 50 ct«, 

*«i ©rente's History of the Inquisition in Spain. Only edition t a b- 
iished in this Country. Price Fifty cents: or handsomely bound in mci*in, gilt, 
Seventy-five cents. 

Dr. Hollick's Anatomy and Physiology, with a large dissected plate of 
the Human Figure, colored to Lite. By the celebrated Dr. Hollick, author of "The 
True Art of Healing the Sick," " Origin of Life," etc. Price One Dollar. 

Mysteries of Three Cities. Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. By A. J. 
H Duganne. 200 pages. Price 50 cents. 

Red Indians of Newfoundland. A beautifully illustrated Indian Story, 
by the author of " Prairie Bird." Price 50 cents. 

Harris's Adventures in Africa. This book is a rich treat. Two volumes. 

Price $1 00, or handsomely bound, $1 50. 

Indi ana. By George Sand, author of " First and True Love," etc. A very bewitching 

and interesting work. 258 pages. Price 50 cents. 

The Petrel; or Love on the Ocean. A sea novel equal to the best, by 
Admiral Fisher. 200 pages. Price 50 cents. 

Aristocracy, or Life among the Upper Ten. A true novel of fashionable life. By 
J. A. Nunes, Esq. Price 50 cents. 

Mor monism Exposed. Full of Engravings, and Portraits of the Twelve Apos- 
tle' trice 12% cents. 

Genevra't or the History of a Portrait. By Miss Fairfield, one of the best Writers 
in America. 200 pages. Price 50 cents. 

Illustrated Life and Adventures of Don Q,uixotte de La 
Mane ha, and his Squire Sancho Panza, revised and corrected, with all the original 
notes 800 pages. Price 50 cents ; or handsomely bound, One Dollar. 

Yankee Yarns and Yankee Letters. By Sam Slick, alias Judge Hali- 
burton. Price 50 cents. 

"Wild Sports in the West, By W. H. Maxwell, author of "Dark Lady ot 

Doona." Price 50 cents. 

The Romish Concessional. By M. Michelet. 800 pages. Price 50 cents. 
Dr. Berg's Answer to Archbishop Hughes. Price 12% cents. 
Dr. Btrg'j> Lecture on the Jesuits. Price 12% cents. 

Flirtations in America; or High Life in New York. A capital 

book. 285 pages. Price 50 cents. 

The Lady's Work Table Book. Hlustrated. A work every Lady should 
possess. Price 50 cents, in paper; or beautifully bound in crimson gilt, for 75 cents. 

The Coquette. One of the best books ever written. One volume, octavo, over 

200 pages Price 50 cents. 

Odd Fellowship Exposed. With all the Signs, Grips, Pass-words, etc. Ulus- 
strated. Price 12% cents. 

The Life and Death of the Rev. John N. Mamt $ with his Portrait. 
Price 12% cents. 

The Necromancer. A Romance of the times of Henry the Eighth. By G. W. 
M. Reynolds. Two volumes. Price Seventy-five cents. 

Pietorial Life and Adventures of Davy Crockett. Written by 
himself. Embellished with spirited and beautiful illustrations. Price 50 cents. 

Ugly Eme ; or, the Neglected One, and Pet Beauty, and othex 
Tales. By Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz, author of " Mob Cap," etc. Price 50 cents. 

The Emigrant Sqxiire. By the author of " Bell Brandon." This has just been 
completed in the Dollar Newspaper, where it has been very popular. Price 25 oents. 

Clara Moreland; or, Adventures in the Far South West. By 
Emerson Bennett, author of " Prairie Flower," " Viola," etc. This has been appear- 
ing in tbe columns of the Saturday Evening Post for the last twelve weeks, where it 
has proved to be one of the most popular and powerful nouvellettes ever written in 
America. 336 pages. Price 50 cents in paper cover, or $1 in cloth, gilt, illustrated. 



EMERSON BENNETT'S BOOKS. 

Viola; or, Adventures in the Far South-West. By Emerson Bennett, 
This has been appearing in the columns of the Saturday Evening Post for the last twelve 
weeks, where it has proved to be one of the most popular and powerful nouvellettes 
ever written in America. Price 50 cents in paper cover, or 75 cents in cloth, gilt. 

Clara Moreland. A sequel and continuation of" Viola." By Emerson Bennett. 
This is a powerfully written romance, which is destined to have a permanent reputa- 
tion. The characters are boldly drawn, the plot striking, the incidents replete with, 
thrilling interest, and the language and descriptions natural and graphic. 336 pages. 
Price 50 cents in paper cover, or One Dollar in cloth, gilt. 

The Forged "Will. By Emerson Bennett. This celebrated and beautiful work 
is published complete in one large volume, of over 300 pages, paper cover, price 50 
cents ; or the work is handsomely bound in one volume, cloth, gilt, price $1 00. One 
hundred thousand copies of the Forged Will will be sold in a short time, and it will 
have a run and popularity second only to Uncle Tom's Cabin. The press everywhere 
are unanimous in its praise, as being one of the most powerful works in the language. 

The Pioneer's Daughter. By Emerson Bennett. Price 50 cents in paper 
cover, or 75 cents in cloth, gilt. 

Walde-Warren. A Tale of Circumstantial Evidence. By Emerson Bennett. 
Price 50 cents in paper cover, or 75 cents in cloth, gilt. 

Kate Clarendon ; or, Necromancy in the Wilderness. By Em- 
erson Bennett. Price 50 cents in paper cover, or 75 cents in cloth, gilt. 

Bride of the Wilderness. By Emerson Bennett. Price 50 cents. In Press. 

MISS LESLIE'S NEW RECEIPTS FOR COOKING. 

Miss Leslie's New Receipts for Cooking of all Kinds. Cakes, 
Pastry, <&>c, «fcc. Entitled; "New Receipts for Cooking," by 
Miss Leslie, comprising new and approved methods of preparing all kinds of 
soups, fish, oysters, terrapins, turtle, vegetables, meats, poultry, game, sauces, pickles, 
sweet meats, cakes, pies, puddings, confectionary, rice, indian meal preparations of 
all kinds, domestic liquors, perfumery, remedies, laundry work, needle-work, letters, 
additional receipts, etc. Also, list of articles suited to go together for breakfasts, 
dinners and suppers, and much useful information and many miscellaneous subjects 
connected with general house-wifery. New edition, enlarged and improved, complete 
in 520 pages, handsomely bound. Price One Dollar a copy only. This work has had 
a very extensive sale, and many thousand copies have been sold, and the demand is 
increasing yearly, being the most complete work of the kind published in the world, 
and also the latest and best, as in addition to Cookery, its receipts for making cakes 
and confectionary are unequalled by any other work extant. 

This excellent and valuable book is published under the title of" NEW RECEIPTS 
FOR COOKING," BY MISS LESLIE; and is entirely different from any other work on 
similar subjects, under other names, by the same author. 

It is an elegantly printed duodecimo volume of 520 pages; and in it there will be 
found One Thousand and Eleven new Receipts — all useful — some ornamental — and all 
invaluable to every lady, miss, or family in the world. 

A very important feature in this new and admirable Cook Book, under the title of 
« NEW RECEIPTS FOR COOKING," BY MISS LESLIE, will be found in the list of ar- 
ticles suited together for Breakfasts, Dinners, Suppers, &c. In it will be found ex- 
tremely popular and useful suggestions, — of immense value in every household, adding 
greatly to its convenience, its comfort and economy. 

Mysteries of the Court of the Stuarts, under the reign of Charles the 
Second, and James the Second. An Historical Romance. The period during the 
reigns of Charles II. and James II., is one of the most interesting in English History. 
Nell Gwynne, first a poor actress, and again as the king's mistress, and possessing 
more than a queen's influence, is the prominent character. The various characters 
are well drawn, and the construction of the tale is thoroughly artistic. The scenes 
shift continually, and the interest of the reader is well sustained to the close. Com- 
plete in one volume. Price 50 cents. 

"This is an historical romance of a brilliant period of English annals, and its au- 
thor has caught the spirit of the times, and worked up his materials with no common 
degree of skill. The book will be found exceedingly interesting." — Southern Literary 
Gazette. 

Virginia and Magdalene ; or The Foster Sisters. A Novel. By 
Emma D. E. N. South worth, author of " The Deserted Wife," "The Mother in Law," 
etc. Complete in one volume. Price 50 cents. 

" Mrs. Southworth's startling positions, vivid scenes, and a pervading intensity in 
language and plot, remind us forcibly of Miss Bronte, (the author of 'Jane Eyre.')" 
— Literary World. 



10 T. B. PETERSON'S LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. 



! ^ 



HUMOBOUS AMERICAN WORKS. 

Sol. Smith.— Theatrical Apprenticeship and Anecdotal Rec- 
ollections of Sol. Smith, Esq., Comedian, Lawyer, etc., with eight 
original designs and illustrations byDarley. Containing Early scenes, Wanderings 
in the West — Cincinnati in Early Life — " One man in his time plays many parts" — 
Expedient to gain a Livelihood — Early days of Edwin Forrest — The Manager in Dis- 
tress—Pittsburgh Theatricals— Philadelphia Gardens in 1S24— The Old Chatham 

1 Theatre — Star-gazing in New York — Concerts in New Jersey — Getting thro' a Winter 
— Strolling in Canada — The Murderous Alleghanians — Dawning of the Drama in 
Lewistown — Floating down the Stream — Theatricals in Kentucky — Anecdotal Recol- 
lections since 1827 — A Theatrical Dentist — The Rival Vocalists — Pettifogging in St. 
Louis — A Friendly Game of Poker — Tom the Curtain Man — The Manager and 
Planter, Signor Matthieu — Letter to Rev. A. Ballard — My First and Last Sermon — 
Tennessee Door-keeper — The Player and the Phrenologist — Interview with an Editor, 
&c, &c. Complete in one volume. Price 50 cents. 

Sol. Smith. Second Series. The Theatrical Journey-work and Anecdotical 
Recollections of Sol. Smith, Esq., with a portait of Sol. Smith. It comprises a sketch 
of the second Seven years of his professional life, together with some Sketches of 
Adventure in after years. One volume, with an illustrative cover. Price 50 cents. 

A Quarter Race in Kentucky, and other Stories. — By W. T. Porter, 
Esq., of the New York Spirit of the Times, with eight illustrations and designs by 
Darley. Containing a Quarter Race in Kentucky — A Shark Story — Lanty Oliphant 
in Court — Bill Morse on the City Taxes — Ance Yeasy's Fight with Reub Sessions — 
The Fastest Funeral on Record — Going to Bed before a Young Lady — A Millerite 
Miracle — Old Singletire " Running a Saw" on a French Gentleman — Breaking a Bank 
— Taking the Census — Dick Harlan's Tennessee Frolic — " Falling off a Log" in a game 
of " Seven up" — The " Werry Fast Crab" — " French without a Master" — A Rollick- 
ing Dragoon Officer — The Georgia Major in Court — Uncle Billy Brown " Glorious" — 
Old Tuttle's Last Quarter Race — Bill Dean the Texan Ranger — The Steamboat Cap- 
tain who was averse to racing — Bob Herring the Arkansas Bear Hunter — McAlpin's 
Trip to Charleston — Indian Rubber Pills — A Murder Case in Mississippi — Kicking a 
Yankee — A " Down-East" Original — Somebody in my Bed — A Day at Sol. Slice's— 
Cupping on the Starnum — A Bear Story — Playing Poker in Arkansas — &c, &c. Com- 
plete in one volume. Price 50 cents. 

"It is illustrated with original engravings from designs byDarley. The 'Quarter 
Race in Kentucky' is one of the best stories that was ever penned, and the volume con- 
tains a number of others, that have from time to time appeared in the Spirit of the 
Times, which are hard to beat." — N. 0. Picayune. 

The Rival Belles. By J. B. Jones, author of " Wild Western Scenes," etc. This 
is a very humorous and entertaining work, and one that will be recommended by all 
after reading it. It is a mirth-provoking work, and well calculated to enliven an 
evening and put to flight ennui, melancholy, and all the gloomy humors ' flesh is heir 
to.' It is a fit companion for the two previous works. Complete in one volume. 
Price 50 cents. 

Life and Adventures of Col. Vanderhomh, and the exploits 
of ais Private Secretary. By J. B. Jones, author of " The Rival lielles," 
" Wild Western Scenes," etc. This book will make your sides ache and split to read 
it, and persons of weak nerves should not peruse it, for it is only suitable for per- 
sons of strong constitution, so great is the humor. There is enough fan in it to 
spice a Magazine for a twelve-month. Complete in one volume. Price 50 cents. 

The Liife and Adventures of Percival Maberry. Written by Him- 
self. It will interest and please everybody. It is a delightful book, and a well writ- 
ten story of adventure, an agreeable and interesting work — a novelty in its way, and 
full to overflowing with curious and absorbing events. It is tull of incident and ad- 
venture, while Maberry himself is exceedingly well drawn. Those who read the first 
chapter will not lay it down until the story is mastered entire. Complete in one 
volume. All who enjoy a good laugh, should get it at once. Price 50 cents. 

Yankee Yarns and Yankee Letters. By Sam Slick, alias Judge Hali- 
burton. Full of the drollest humor that has ever emanated from the pen of any 
author. A collection of humorous stories, varns and letters, well calculated to pro- 
voke laughter. We advise the immediate purchase of the book, and but a temper- 
ate use of it — one story at a sitting will be sufficient; a greater indulgence nn'ttht 
result seriously. Every page will set you in a roar. Complete in one volume. Price 
50 cents. 

The Attache; or Sam Slick in England.— By Judge Halibnrton, au- 
thor of " Yankee Yarns and Yankee Letters," etc. This is, of course, quite full of 
fun—' all sorts' of fun ; and those who want a good laugh, should get it at once. 
Complete in one volume. 



m 



= mm =^^« 

T. B. PETERSON'S LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. 11 

Works of Bulwer, James, and others, at 25 cents. 

Falkland. A Novel. By Sir E. L. Bulwor, author of " The Roue," " Oxonians," etc. 
One volume, octavo. Price 25 cents. 

The Roue: or the Hazards of Women. By Sir E. L. Bulwer. Price25 3ts. 

The Oxonians. By Sir E. L. Bulwer. Author of "Last of the Barons." A Sequel 
to the Roue. Price 25 cents. 

Arrah Neil. A Novel. By G. P. R. James, author of " Richelieu," etc. Price 25 cts. 

Eva St. Clair; and other Collected Tales. By Q. P. R. James, Esq., 

author of "Richelieu." Price 25 cents. 

The Pioneer's Daughter. By Emerson Bennett, author of "The Prairie 
Flower." Price 50 cents. 

Agnes Grey; an Autobiography. By the Author of "Jane Eyre," "Shir- 
ley," etc. Price 25 cents. 

The Valley Farm; or, the Autobiography of an Orphan. A com- 
panion to Jane byre. Price 25 cents. 

The Fortune Hunter, by Mrs. Anna Cora Mowatt. (Her last.) Price 38 cents. 

Gentleman's Science of Etiquette, and Guide to Society. By 

Count Alfred D'Orsay. Price 25 cents. 

Liadies' Science of Etiquette. By Countess de Calabrella, with her full length 
portrait. Price 25 cents. 

Grace Dudley; or Arnold at Saratoga* By Charles J. Peterson. Illus- 
trated. Price 25 cents. 

Ella Stratford; or the Orphan Child. By the Countess of Blessington. 

Price 25 cents. 

Ghost Stories. Full of Illustrations. Being a Wonderful Book. Price 25 cents. 

The Admiral's Daughter. By Mrs. Marsh, author of " Ravenscliffe." One 

volume, octavo. Price 25 cents. 

The Monk. A Romance. By Matthew G. Lewis, Esq., M.P. All should read it. 25 cts. 

The Dark Lady of Doona. By W. H. Maxwell, author of " Wild Sports in the 
West." Price 25 cents. 

Rody the Rover: or the Ribbonman. An Irish Tale. By William Carle- 
ton. One volume, octavo. Price 25 cents. 

The Diary of a Physician. Second Series. By S. C. Warren, author of " Ten 

Thousand a Year." Illustrated. Price 25 cents. 
Abednego, the Money Lender* By Mrs. Gore. Price 25 cents. 

Madison's Exposition of the Awful Ceremonies of Odd Fel- 
lowship, with 20 plates. Price 25 cents. 

Gliddon's Ancient Egypt, her Monuments, Hieroglyphics* 
His: ory, etc. Full of plates. Price 25 cents. 

The Family Physician; or the True Art of Healing the Sick. 

By Dr. Hollick Price 25 cents. 

Father Clement. By Grace Kennady, Author of "Dunallen." " A obey of Innis- 
moyle," etc. Price 50 cents. 

The Abbey of Innismoyle. By Grace Kennady, author of " Father Clement." 

Price 25 cents 

The Insnared; a Story of the Heart. By Lady Charlotte Bury. 25 cts. 

The Beautiful French Girl ; or the Daughter of Monsieur Fontanbleu. 
.Price 25 cents. 

The Mysteries of Bedlam; or Annals of the London Mad 

II out e. Price 25 cents. 

Josepliine. By Grace Aguilar, author of "Home Influence," "Mother's Recom- 
pense," etc. Price 25 cents 



w m 

12 T. B. PETERSON'S LIST OF PUBLICATIONS. 

The Mysteries of a Convent. By one of the most celebrated Methodist 

Preachers now living. Price 25 cents. 
Bell Brandon, and tlie Witliered Fig Tree. Ey P. Hamilton Myers, 

author of " Miser's Heir." A Three Hundred Dollar prize novel. Price 25 cents. 
Knowlsou's Complete Cattle, or Cow Doctor. Price 25 cents. 
Ewowison's Complete Farrier, or Horse Doctor. Price 25 cents. 
The Complete Kitchen and Fruit Gardener, for popular and 

general use. Price 25 cents. 
Tlie Complete Florist: or Flower Gardener. The best in the world. 

Price 25 cents. 
Moreton Hall; or, the Spirits of the Haunted House. A Tale 

founded on facts. Price 25 cents. 
Philip in Search of a Wife. By the author of "Kate in Search of a Hus- 
band." Price 25 cents. 
Jenny Ambrose ; or, L.ife in the Eastern States. By the author of 

" Lights and Shadows of Factory Life." An excellent Book. Price 25 cents. 
A Year After Marriage. By T. S. Arthur. Price 25 cents. 
Trials of a Needlewoman. By T. S. Arthur. Price 50 cents. 

MRS. SOUTHWORTH'S CELEBRATED WORKS. 

The Curse of Clifton; a Tale of Expiation and Redemption. 

By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southwortb, author of " The Discarded Daugbter," " Virginia 
and Magdalene," etc. Complete in two volumes of 456 pages, printed on the finest 
papei\ Price for the complete work in paper cover, Fifty cents a volume, or hand- 
somely bound in cloth, gilt, for One Dollar and Twenty-five cents. 

The Discarded Daughter. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth, author of 
"Virginia and Magdalene," "The Deserted Wife," "Curse of Clifton," etc. Complete 
in two yolumes of 428 pages, printed on the finest paper. Price Fifty cents a volume, 
or handsomely bound in cloth, gilt, for One Dollar and Twenty-five cents. 

Virginia and Magdalene ; or, The Foster Sisters. By Mrs. Emma 
D. E. N. Southworth, author of "The Discarded Daughter," "The Mother-in-law," 
etc. Complete in one large octavo volume. Price 50 cents. 

The Deserted Wife. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth, author of " The 
Curse of Clifton," " The Mother-in-law," &c, &c. Complete in one laige octavo volume. 
Price 50 cents. 

The Mother-in-law ; or, The Isle of Rays. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. 
Southworth, author of " The Discarded Daughter," " Shannondale," &c. Complete in 
one large fine octavo volume. Price 50 cents. 

Shannondale. By Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth, author of "The Deserted 
Wife," " Curse of Clifton," etc. Complete in one fine large octavo volume. Price 50 
cents. 

<xs* 

T. B. PETERSON'S Wholesale and Retail Cheap Book, Maga- 
zine, Newspaper, Publishing and Bookselling Establish- 
ment, is at No. 103 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia : 

From which place he will supply all orders for any books at all, no matter by whom 
published, in advance of all others, and at publishers' lowest cash prices. He respect- 
fully invites Country Merchants, Booksellers, Pedlars, Canvassers, Agents, the Trade, 
Strangers in the City, and the public generally, to call and examine his extensive col- 
lection of all kinds of publications, where they will be sure to find all the best, latest, 
and cheapest works published in this country or elsewhere, for sale very low. 

He has also for sale, every Book, Cheap Publication and Magazine issued in this 
country, and all other cheap editions published of any of the Foreign authors. Any 
work either new or old, or by whom published or advertised, can always be obtained by 
sending to T. B. Peterson, No. 102 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, post-paid. 

jS® 3 " Agents, Pedlars, Canvassers, Booksellers, News Agents, &c, throughout the 
country, who wish to make money on a small capital, would do well to address T. B. 
Peterson, who will furnish a complete outfit for a comparatively small amount. 

Agents, Postmasters, Country Merchants, Pedlars, Dealers in Cheap Works, and all 
others, supplied with anything in our line, at publishers' lowest cash prices ; and their 
orders will be filled at as low prices, if not lower, than at any other house in this Country. 



" * LOST HEIRESS. 

BY MRS. EMMA 0. E. N. SOUTHWORTH. 

AUTHOR OP "THE DESERTED WIFE," "DISCARDED DAUGHTER," "VIRGINIA AND 

MAGDALENE/' " CURSE OF CLIFTON," " SHANNONDALE," 

"THE MOTHER-IN-LAW," ETC., ETC., ETC. 

Complete in two volumes, paper cover, Price One Dollar ; or 
bound in cloth, for One Dollar and Twenty-five Cents. 

READ THE FOLLOWING OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 

"The excellencies of the 'Lost Heiress* are many and great. We regard it 
as one of, if not the best, on the whole, of Mrs. Southworth's productions. For 
the brilliancy and point of her conversations, the ease and spirit of her narra- 
tive, the splendid and graphic character of her descriptions of natural scenery, 
and the general power and originality of her conceptions, she occupies a front 
rank among American writers of fiction. The moral is an excellent one — cal- 
culated to do good to all its readers. The story is intensely interesting; and 
while many of those who read it as it appeared in the Post, doubtless will em- 
brace this opportunity to obtain it in a more permanent form, those that have 
not read it may be assured that it abounds in all the excellencies of its author's 
vivid and picturesque genius. Mrs. Southworth's characters are not merely 
names, but existences : they live and move before us, each acting in accord- 
ance with their peculiar nature. Beautiful Maud Hunter ! — shall we see and 
hear about you no more ? Noble statesman, devoted wife, unselfish parents, 
blessed and glorious ideals of true manhood and true womanhood — shall we no 
more weekly dwell upon the story of your beautiful wedded lives? Ah ! Mrs. 
Southworth, you have touched for us a deeper chord in this story, than in any 
other you have written. Others may not have felt like us — though we know 
many unite in these words of praise — but to us, the moral nobility and beauty 
inculcated in this last novelet, give it a high rank among those works of the 
imagination whose effect is to make their readers less selfish, more sacrificing, 
nobler, better, and, in one word, more truly Christian. The work contains a 
beautiful portrait of Mrs. Southworth ; with a fac-simile of her autograph, ex- 
ecuted on steel, as well as a view of Prospect Cottage, the residence of the 
authoress, on the Potomac." — Saturday Evening Post. 

" This celebrated work, by Mrs. Southworth, is her chef d'eenvre, and con- 
tains a beautiful portrait of the author, a fac-simile of her autograph, and a 
view of the author's residence. Mrs. S. is unquestionably a writer of great 
genius and originality, and in the 'Lost Heiress' has excelled all her previous 
efforts. Her works have hosts of admirers." — Saturday Courier. 

Copies of the above work will be sent to any person at all, to any part of the 
United States, free of postage, on their remitting the price of the edition they 
may wish, to the publisher, in a letter, post-paid. 

Published and for sale by T. B. PETERSON, 

No. 102 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. 

T. B. Peterson also publishes a complete edition of Mrs. Southworth's octavo 
works : containing " The Deserted Wife," "The Mother-in -Law," "Shannon- 
dale," and "Virginia and Magdalene," bound in one volume, cloth. Price 
Two Dollars. " Curse of Clifton," " The Lost Heiress," and " The Discarded 
Daughter," are each published separately, in two vols., paper cover, price One 
Dollar ; or bound in one vol., cloth, for One Dollar and Twenty-five cents each. 



This Two Dollar Magazine is as good as the Three Dollar ones. 

NOW IS THE T1SV1E TO MAKE UP YOUR CLUBS! 

PETERSON'S MAGAZINE! 

The Cheapest, Best and most Elegant Monthly in the World. 

PETERSON'S LADIES' NATIONAL MAGAZINE 

"Will be greatly enlarged and improved for 1855. It will contain 900 pages of double 
column original reading matter; from twenty-five to thirty superb Steel Plates; and 
over three hundred Wood Engravings. 

ITS LITERARY CHARACTER UNRIVALLED. 

No other Periodical publishes such Thrilling Tales or such Capital Stories of Real Life. 
Mrs. Ann S. Stephens, the celebrated author of " Fashion and Famine," is one of the edi- 
tors ; and every volume contains one of her unrivalled novels, written expressly for the 
Magazine. She is assisted by all the best female authors of America. All the stories 
published will be original, which cannot be said of any cotemporary. Morality and 
virtue are always inculcated. The newspaper press and the ladies unite to pronounce it 
the most readable of the Magazines. 

Its Colored Fashion Plates in Advance. 

JtS^S" It is the only Magazine whose Fashion Plates can be relied on. **§5tf 
These Plates are from patterns received in advance, from Paris, all colored, a la mode, 
and of unrivalled beauty. A comparison between this Magazine and others, in this re- 
spect, is challenged. The " Gossip about the Fashions," published in each number, is 
fuller, better and later than can be had elsewhere at any price. In the Eastern cities 
this work is the text book of fashion. 

Its Magnificent QDriginal (£mbellisl)ments. 

Its Illustrations excel those of any other Magazine, each number containing a superb 
Steel Engraving, either mezzotint or line, besides the Fashion Plate ; and. in addition, 
numerous other Engravings, Wood Cuts, Patterns, &c, &c. The Engravings, at the end 
of the year, alone are worth the subscription price. 

BEST LADIES MAGAZINE IN THE WORLD. 

In addition, each number contains every thing that a lady desires in such a Parlor Com- 
panion. Its departments for Acting Charades, Parlor Games, Fire-side Amusements, New 
Receipts, Crotchet Work, Embroidery, Netting, Horticulture, and Female Equestrianism, 
are always well filled, profusely illustrated, and rich with the latest novelties. The pub- 
lisher offers it to the sex as the best Lady's Magazine in the World. 

TERMS,-ALWAYS IN ADVANCE. 

One copy for one year, - $2 00 I Five copies for one year, - $7 50 

Threa copies for one year, 5 00 j Eight copies for one year, - 10 00 

Sixteen copies for one year, - - - - $20 00 

PEEMIUMS FOE GETTING UP CLUBS. 

A copy of our "Gift Book of Art," for 1855, containing Fifty magnificent Steel Engrav- 
ings, will be given to every person getting up a Club. For a Club of Sixteen, an extra copy 
of the Mjgazine will be given in addition. 

Address, post paid, CHARLES J. PETERSON, 

A Specimen sent when desired. No. 103 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. 

>86g=- All Postmasters constituted Aeents. 

45^ Persons remitting will please get the Postmaster to register their letters, in which 
case the remittance may be at our risk. When the sum is large, a draft should be procured, 
the cost of which may be deducted from the amount. 

&j£=> Editors who will copy this Prospectus, or make a digest of it, shall receive the Ma- 
gazine for 1855. 

Lb: 



